Jacek A Kopec1, Eric C Sayre. 1. Department of Health Care and Epidemiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada. jkopec@arthritisresearch.ca
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether organizational and psychosocial aspects of work experience affect the risk of chronic pain conditions. METHODS: We used longitudinal data from the National Population Health Survey in Canada (n = 6571). The data were analyzed using the Cox model. RESULTS: Work-related stress was a risk factor for developing chronic pain or discomfort. The relative risk was 1.39 (95% CI = 1.01-1.91) for medium stress and 1.80 (95% CI = 1.28-2.52) for high stress. High psychological demands and low skill discretion were independently associated with pain/discomfort. There was no association between psychosocial factors at work and physician-diagnosed chronic back problems, arthritis, or migraine headaches. CONCLUSIONS: Work-related stress is a significant risk factor for nonspecific complaints of pain or discomfort among workers.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether organizational and psychosocial aspects of work experience affect the risk of chronic pain conditions. METHODS: We used longitudinal data from the National Population Health Survey in Canada (n = 6571). The data were analyzed using the Cox model. RESULTS: Work-related stress was a risk factor for developing chronic pain or discomfort. The relative risk was 1.39 (95% CI = 1.01-1.91) for medium stress and 1.80 (95% CI = 1.28-2.52) for high stress. High psychological demands and low skill discretion were independently associated with pain/discomfort. There was no association between psychosocial factors at work and physician-diagnosed chronic back problems, arthritis, or migraine headaches. CONCLUSIONS: Work-related stress is a significant risk factor for nonspecific complaints of pain or discomfort among workers.
Authors: Jenni Kulmala; Timo Hinrichs; Timo Törmäkangas; Mikaela B von Bonsdorff; Monika E von Bonsdorff; Clas-Håkan Nygård; Matti Klockars; Jorma Seitsamo; Juhani Ilmarinen; Taina Rantanen Journal: Age (Dordr) Date: 2014-11-07