Working with low back pain: workplace and individual psychosocial determinants of limited duty and lost time

Background Few studies have identified the risk factors associated with los t time in employees working with occupational low back pain (OLBP) despite the presence of pain. Such data could assist in the development of evidence d-based secondary prevention programs. Methods The present investigation was a case-control study (n = 421) of dem ographic, health behavior, ergonomic, workplace and individual psychosocial factors hypothesized to be associated with lost time in young, MI-time emp loyees (i.e., soldiers) with OLBP Analyses of the burden of OLBP in terms o f the number of days on limited duty and lost time status were also compute d. Results Logistic regression analysis indicated that female gender, educatio n beyond HS/GED, longer time working in military, higher levels of daily li fe worries, no support from others, higher levels of ergonomic exposure, st ressful work, increased peer cohesion, and greater perceived effort at work placed a worker at a greater likelihood for OLBP-related lost work time. L ower levels of innovation, involvement, and supervisor support were also as sociated with lost time. Linear regression indicated that the number of day s of lost time and limited duty was associated with lower levels of physica l health and higher levels of symptom severity. Conclusions The results support the potential utility of interventions targ eting ergonomic, workplace and individual psychosocial risk factors in seco ndary prevention. Published 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc dagger.