Combined ergonomic exposures and development of musculoskeletal pain in the general working population: A prospective cohort study

Andersen, Lars L.; Vinstrup, Jonas; Skovlund, Sebastian Venge; Villadsen, Ebbe; Thorsen, Sannie Vester

doi:10.5271/sjweh.3954

Cited by 24 publications

(30 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…The ergonomic risk factors demonstrated in the present study, i.e., standing/walking, back twisted/bent and carrying or lifting, should be the primary focal point for future intervention studies, although further studies are needed to further specify potential risk factors. These exposures were also demonstrated to be highly prevalent [ 76 ] and associated with serious disease [ 77 ] and musculoskeletal pain [ 78 ] highlighting their clinical importance. There is a clear association between ergonomic exposure and musculoskeletal pain and musculoskeletal pain is often the primary reason for seeking medical advice.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workability in the Ageing Workforce—A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Nygaard

Thomsen

Rasmussen

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of age, musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic exposure on workability in the oldest group of workers. Methods: The study was a population based cross-sectional survey. The study population comprised citizens born between 1952–1966, living in Esbjerg municipality ultimo 2016 (n = 23,463). A questionnaire was sent electronically or by mail. The analysis included the working population only. A stereotype logistic regression was used with the primary dependent variable being workability and independent variables included age, musculoskeletal pain, and ergonomic exposure. Results: The response rate was 58% and the data demonstrated a significant negative association between age and workability. With excellent workability as a reference, the odds for poor workability increased by 97% being 60+ y compared to 50–55 y. Both moderate intensity and severe musculoskeletal pain in the back, shoulder and knee/hip all showed significantly higher odds for poor workability. Ergonomic exposures, such as standing/walking, working with back bent or twisted and carrying or lifting had a significant negative impact on workability. Conclusion: Age, musculoskeletal pain and ergonomic exposures showed a significant negative impact on workability in the oldest group of workers and should be targeted with preventive initiatives.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Workability in the Ageing Workforce—A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Nygaard

Thomsen

Rasmussen

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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“…For example, results of the analysis of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey show, that 61.5% of persons, who frequently work in awkward postures and 41.1% of persons, who perform manual handling operations also reported frequent manual handling of heavy loads [ 37 , 38 ]. Andersen et al (2021) [ 39 ] underline the importance of combined physical workload in the development of MSD. The results of their prospective cohort study, which compared clusters with different exposure combinations, showed that workers exposed to a combination of lifting/carrying, pushing/pulling, working in awkward postures for most of their working time and performing manual handling operations had the largest increase in pain in their lower back [ 39 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Andersen et al (2021) [ 39 ] underline the importance of combined physical workload in the development of MSD. The results of their prospective cohort study, which compared clusters with different exposure combinations, showed that workers exposed to a combination of lifting/carrying, pushing/pulling, working in awkward postures for most of their working time and performing manual handling operations had the largest increase in pain in their lower back [ 39 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manual handling of heavy loads and low back pain among different occupational groups: results of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA employment survey

Sauter

Barthelme

Müller

et al. 2021

BMC Musculoskelet Disord

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Background In Germany and other European countries, many occupations still involve manual handling of loads (MHL), an activity that puts the musculoskeletal system at risk of low back pain (LBP). This study aims to describe the current prevalence of MHL in different occupational groups stratified by gender in Germany, the association between MHL and LBP and the adjusted prevalence of LBP in different respond-categories of MHL. Methods Data was collected in telephone interviews conducted as part of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey, which covers work-related topics like working conditions, education, health status and job satisfaction. The analyses were limited to full-time workers (> 35 h/week) aged between 15 and 67. The frequency of MHL was analysed descriptively. BLOSSFELD classification was used to group the participants in occupational categories. The analysis of the association between MHL and the prevalence of LBP over the last 12 months was based on robust log-linear Poisson regression that results in prevalence ratios (PR). The main regression model was adjusted for gender, age, working hours, and working conditions. Adjusted estimates for the prevalence of LBP were calculated based on regression analysis. Results The sample consists of n = 14,331 participants (men: n = 8828, 61.6%; women: n = 5503, 38.4%; median age 49 years). Of these, 52.8% say they were exposed to MHL at work. MHL is most common in agricultural occupations, skilled and unskilled occupations. In the regression model, participants who said they were “often” exposed to MHL reported more frequently LBP than those participants who said they were “never” exposed to MHL. The PR as estimate for the association is 1.41 (95%CI [1.32; 1.49]). Postestimation of the prevalence of LBP began with 47.3% (95%CI [43.8%; 51.1%]) for participants who said they were “never” exposed to MHL and rose to 66.5% (95%CI [62.4%; 71.0%]) for participants who indicated they were “often” exposed to MHL. Conclusions The 2018 BIBB/BAuA Employment Survey emphasizes that MHL is still common in the German workforce and shows a significant association to LBP. Prevention policies for avoiding MHL remain vital.

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“…To in an early postoperative stage, asking patients about work tasks and physical load on their neck at work and their own thoughts of being able to work within the next 6 months will be reasonable in a clinical situation, as the WAI questionnaire may take too long time to fill in and analyse. Previous research on the working population [ 39 ] shows that ergonomic exposure at work with repetitive arm movement during most of the working day increase the risk of neck-shoulder pain. At the short-term follow-up after surgery, it is important to identify individuals who require further or extended interventions to gain and promote work ability [ 40 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The WAI is a reliable and valid selfreport scale scored from 7 to 49, with higher scores indicating higher work ability [17]. Scores can be presented as mean values or categorized into four levels when used as an outcome measure: poor , moderate (28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36), good (37)(38)(39)(40)(41)(42)(43), and excellent (44-49) [18,19].…”

Section: Main Outcome Measurementioning

confidence: 99%

Work Ability After Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Followed by a Structured Postoperative Rehabilitation: Secondary Outcomes of a Prospective Randomized Controlled Multi-Centre Trial with a 2-year Follow-up

et al. 2021

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Purpose Information on work ability after ACDF and postoperative rehabilitation is lacking. The aim of the present study is therefore to investigate the work ability benefits of a structured postoperative treatment (SPT) over a standard care approach (SA) in patients who underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) for cervical radiculopathy and factors important to the 2-year outcome. Methods Secondary outcome and prediction model of a prospective randomized controlled multi-centre study with a 2-year follow-up (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01547611). The Work Ability Index (WAI) and Work Ability Score (WAS) were measured at baseline and up to 2 years after ACDF in 154 patients of working age who underwent SPT or SA after surgery. Predictive factors for the WAI at 2 years were analysed. Results Both WAI and WAS significantly improved with SPT and SA (p < 0.001), without any between-group differences. Thoughts of being able to work within the next 6 months, Neck Disability Index (NDI), and work-related neck load explained 59% of the variance in WAI at the 2-year follow-up after ACDF. Conclusions Patients improved over time without group differences, suggesting the improvement to be surgery related. Expectation to work within the next 6 months, self-reported neck functioning and work-related neck load were important to work ability and are central factors to ask early after ACDF, to identifying further interventions promoting return to work.

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Combined ergonomic exposures and development of musculoskeletal pain in the general working population: A prospective cohort study

Abstract: This prospective cohort study shows that combined occupational ergonomic exposures play an important role in the development of musculoskeletal pain in the general working population. Workplace preventive approaches should consider this in risk assessments and organization of the work.

Cited by 24 publications

References 35 publications

Workability in the Ageing Workforce—A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Workability in the Ageing Workforce—A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Manual handling of heavy loads and low back pain among different occupational groups: results of the 2018 BIBB/BAuA employment survey

Work Ability After Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion Followed by a Structured Postoperative Rehabilitation: Secondary Outcomes of a Prospective Randomized Controlled Multi-Centre Trial with a 2-year Follow-up

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