Factors Affecting Disability Risk from Back Pain

Musculoskeletal pain, obesity, and smoking are among the factors associated with an increased risk of work disability due to lower back disorders, reports a study in the May Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, official publication of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM).

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Using data from a large study of Finnish twins, the researchers looked for factors associated with a higher or lower risk of going on disability pension for low back disorders. The lead author was Annina Ropponen, PhD, of the University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio.

The factor most strongly related to disability was pain in the neck, shoulder, or back - more than a twofold increase in risk.

Other risk factors were frequent use of analgesic drugs (pain relievers), being a former or current smoker, having some type of chronic disease, and being a manual worker.

Increased education and higher income were associated with a lower risk of back-related disability.

Being overweight increased disability risk in men, but not women.

The use of twin data avoided potential confounding due to genetic factors and childhood environment.

Lower back disorders are a major public health problem, and a leading cause of lost productivity and work disability. The new study helps to clarify the factors that may increase the risk of back-related disability. These include some potentially modifiable factors for example, musculoskeletal pain, smoking, and overweight that could be addressed in younger workers to help reduce their lifelong risk of disability related to low back disorders.

"Health interventions early in work-life may be of importance both to improve workability and prolong working careers, particularly in occupations including physical loading," Dr. Ropponen and co-authors conclude.

ACOEM an international society of 5,000 occupational physicians and other health care professionals, provides leadership to promote optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments.

The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine is the official journal of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Edited to serve as a guide for physicians, nurses, and researchers, the clinically oriented research articles are an excellent source for new ideas, concepts, techniques, and procedures that can be readily applied in the industrial or commercial employment setting.

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and published on 2011/05/19, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity.