Patterns in the Occurrence and Duration of Musculoskeletal Pain and Interference with Work among Eldercare Workers—A One-Year Longitudinal Study with Measurements Every Four Weeks

Charlotte Diana Nørregaard Rasmussen, Kristina Karstad, Karen Søgaard, Reiner Rugulies, Alex Burdorf and Andreas Holtermann
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Charlotte Diana Nørregaard Rasmussen: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Kristina Karstad: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Karen Søgaard: Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics and Department of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
Reiner Rugulies: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
Alex Burdorf: Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre, Doctor Molewaterplein 40, 3015 GD Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Andreas Holtermann: National Research Centre for the Working Environment, Lersø Parkallé 105, 2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine patterns of musculoskeletal pain episodes over time. We conducted a one-year follow-up study among 275 eldercare workers with measurements of musculoskeletal pain (low back pain (LBP) and neck/shoulder pain (NSP)) and pain-related work interference (PWI) reported via text message every four weeks. We found a constant, high four-weekly prevalence of LBP and NSP (between 61% and 72%). The distributions of pain episodes for LBP and NSP were similar with approximately 30% of the episodes being 7 days or less per four weeks. There was also a high recurrence of pain, with 33% reporting LBP or NSP every four weeks. In addition, 24% had pain at every measurement in both the low back and neck/shoulder regions combined throughout the year. On days with LBP or NSP, approximately 59% also reported interference with work, and 18% of the eldercare workers reported that pain interfered with their work all measurements throughout the year. A high proportion of eldercare workers reported pain every four weeks throughout the year and the four-weekly prevalence of pain remained high and constant on a group level. During most days with pain, eldercare workers were hampered in their regular work activities.

Keywords: prevalence; low back pain; neck pain; shoulder pain; recurrence; recovery; pain episodes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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