• Marie Birk Jørgensen, Kirsten Nabe-Nielsen, Thomas Clausen, and Andreas Holtermann.
• The National Research Centre for the Working Environment, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. mbj@nrcwe.dk
• Spine. 2013 Mar 15;38(6):E359-66.

Study DesignProspective cohort study.ObjectiveTo investigate the independent effect of physical workload and childhood socioeconomic status (CSES) on low back pain (LBP) and LBP-related sickness absence among female health care workers.Summary Of Background DataThe role of physical workload on LBP independently from CSES is still subject to controversy.MethodsWe used questionnaire data from 1661 female social and health care workers responding to a questionnaire in 2004, 2005, and 2006. We collected information on CSES (parental occupation), physical workload, and LBP-prevalence (no LBP, subchronic LBP, and frequent LBP), and LBP-related sickness absence. The participants were categorized into 5 groups according to CSES (I = highest, V = lowest). Data were analyzed using logistic regression analysis.ResultsIrrespective of CSES, high physical workload increased the odds ratio (OR) of future subchronic LBP (OR = 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.61-2.57) and frequent LBP (OR = 2.20; 95% CI, 1.65-3.00), but not LBP-related sickness absence. The odds of subchronic LBP were lower in CSES groups II (OR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.42-0.93) and III (OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.39-0.86) referencing CSES group I, irrespective of physical workload. The odds of short-term LBP-related sickness absence were higher in CSES groups III (OR = 2.78; 95% CI, 1.41-5.47) and IV (OR = 2.18; 95% CI, 1.11-4.27) referencing CSES group I, irrespective of physical workload. We found no interaction between physical workload and CSES.ConclusionPhysical workload and CSES are independently associated with future LBP within a group with similar occupational status.Level Of EvidenceN/A.

26 keywords...

hide…