Work Ability and Quality of Life in Patients with Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders

Yi-Fang Chang, Chang-Ming Yeh, Shu-Ling Huang, Chi-Chung Ho, Ren-Hau Li, Wei-Hsun Wang and Feng-Cheng Tang
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Yi-Fang Chang: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Han Chung Hospital, Taichung 420, Taiwan
Chang-Ming Yeh: Department of Occupational Medicine, Buddhist Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Chiayi 622, Taiwan
Shu-Ling Huang: Department of Psychology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
Chi-Chung Ho: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung 402, Taiwan
Ren-Hau Li: Department of Psychology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung 402, Taiwan
Wei-Hsun Wang: Department of Orthopedic, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan
Feng-Cheng Tang: Department of Occupational Medicine, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua 500, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate level of work ability and quality of life (QOL) as well as the relationship between them among patients suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in Taiwan. A cross-sectional study design with continuous sampling and a questionnaire were used to obtain the research data. Controlling for personal characteristics, pain, psychological distress, and social support, multiple linear regressions were adopted to explore the relationship between work ability and overall QOL. Further analyses were also made to clarify the relationships between work ability and each domain of QOL. In total, 165 patients with WMSDs were recruited. Compared with general workers, the participants reported a lower level of work ability and overall QOL. Work ability was significantly associated with overall QOL when covariates were controlled. Among the four domains of QOL, work ability was significantly associated with both the physical and psychological domains. The conclusion was that work ability is a definite factor of QOL for patients with WMSDs; the essence of work ability may be beyond economic function or social support. Strategies to help workers with WMSDs enhance their work ability to fit their new or temporary jobs would be beneficial to their QOL.

Keywords: work ability; quality of life; musculoskeletal disorders (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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