Risk factors for surgically treated cervical spondylosis in male construction workers : a 20-year prospective study

• BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Degenerative changes due to cervical spondylosis (CS) can detrimentally affect work ability and quality of life yet understanding of how physical exposure affects disease progression is limited.PURPOSE: To assess the associations between occupational physical exposures and occurrence of surgically treated cervical spondylosis (ST-CS) and early exit from the labour market via disability pension.STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Prospective register study with 20 year follow-up period.PATIENT SAMPLE: Swedish construction workers participating in a national health surveillance project conducted between 1971-1993.OUTCOME MEASURES: Surgically treated cervical spondylosis (ST-CS) and early labour market exit at a minimum rate of 25% time on disability pension.METHODS: Associations between occupational physical exposures (job exposure matrix) and subsequent ST-CS (National Hospital in-patient register) and early labour market exit via disability pension (Swedish Social Insurance Agency register) were assessed in a cohort of male construction workers (n=237,699).RESULTS: A total of 1381 ST-CS cases were present and a 20-year incidence rate of 35.1 cases per 100,000 person years (95% confidence interval (CI) 33.2-36.9). Increased relative risk (RR) for ST-CS was found for workers exposed to non-neutral (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.15-1.69) and awkward neck postures (1.52, 1.19-1.95), working with the hands above shoulder height (1.30, 1.06-1.60), and high upper extremity loading (1.35, 1.15-1.59). Increased risk was also present for workers who reported frequent neck (3.06, 2.18-4.30) and upper back (3.84, 2.57-5.73) pain in the 12 months prior to survey. Among workers with elevated arm exposure, higher risk was seen in those who also had more frequent neck pain. ST-CS cases took early retirement more often (41.3%) and at a younger age (53 years) than the total study cohort (14.8% and 56 years of age, respectively).CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to non-neutral neck postures, work with hands above shoulders and high loads born through the upper extremities increased the risk for ST-CS and early retirement due to disability. Decreasing postural and load exposure is salient for primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention of CS. Neck pain was shown to be a prognostic factor for ST-CS, which stresses the importance of acting early and taking preventative action to reduce workplace exposure, and the need for systematic medical check-ups within primary or occupational care to mitigate disease progression and early labour market exit due to disability.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Ortopedi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Orthopaedics (hsv//eng)

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Maskinteknik -- Produktionsteknik, arbetsvetenskap och ergonomi (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Mechanical Engineering -- Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Arbetsmedicin och miljömedicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Occupational Health and Environmental Health (hsv//eng)

Keyword

early-retirement

hand tools

job exposure matrix

neck pain

repetitive

static work

upper-back pain

Health-Promoting Work

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)