What factors predict full or partial return to work among sickness absentees with spinal pain participating in rehabilitation?

• Purpose. To identify the factors that predict full or partial return to work among long-term (>= 90 days) sickness absentees due to spinal pain who begin a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme. Method. In a prospective cohort study, 312 patients with neck, thoracic and/or lumbar pain, aged 20-64, participated in a 4-week multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme in Sweden. Questionnaire data at inclusion were used. Factors included in logistic regressions were as follows: age, gender, type of work, pain location, pain intensity (visual analogue scale), activity limitations [Disability Rating Index (DRI)], health-related quality of life (SF-36), pain-related fear of movement (Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia), motivation (Self Motivation Inventory), sickness absence at baseline and number of sick-leave days during the previous 2 years. Outcome factor was increased versus not increased working time at follow-up 6 months later. Results. Most patients (68%) reported two or three pain locations. At baseline, 56% were full-time sickness absent and 23% at follow-up; 61% had increased their working time. Predictors for increased working time were age below 40 years, low activity limitation (DRI < 50), low SF-36 bodily pain (>30) and high SF-36 social functioning (>60). Number of sick-leave days during the previous 2 years (md 360; range 90-730) had no influence. Conclusions. Even patients with long previous sick leave can increase working time after a multidisciplinary rehabilitation programme, especially if they are younger, have lower levels of activity limitations and pain and better social functioning. To include information on part-time work is useful when evaluating work ability following rehabilitation programmes.

Ämnesord

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

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

Nyckelord

Sick leave

sickness absence

return to work

low back pain

neck pain

predictor variables

activity

participation

health-related quality of life

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)