OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between smoking and alcohol consumption, and long-term sick leave due to unspecific back or neck pain among employees in the public sector. DESIGN: A 3-year prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: Approximately 9000 persons in the public sector in Sweden were invited to participate. Of these, 7533 answered a questionnaire and 6532 were included in the study, classified as having "good health for working". METHODS: New periods of sick leave >or= 28 days were consecutively reported from the employers or the occupational health service during a period of 3 years. Rate ratios were estimated by means of Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: Smoking was associated with an increased risk of long-term sick leave due to unspecific back or neck pain. Compared with people who have never smoked, "ever smokers" had a higher risk (rate ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.3-2.4). Alcohol consumption tended to be associated with a decreased risk, but the results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that smoking is a risk factor for long-term sick leave due to unspecific back or neck pain. Moderate alcohol consumption tends to have a protective effect, at least among women in the public sector.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the associations between smoking and alcohol consumption, and long-term sick leave due to unspecific back or neck pain among employees in the public sector. DESIGN: A 3-year prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: Approximately 9000 persons in the public sector in Sweden were invited to participate. Of these, 7533 answered a questionnaire and 6532 were included in the study, classified as having "good health for working". METHODS: New periods of sick leave >or= 28 days were consecutively reported from the employers or the occupational health service during a period of 3 years. Rate ratios were estimated by means of Cox proportional hazard regression model. RESULTS: Smoking was associated with an increased risk of long-term sick leave due to unspecific back or neck pain. Compared with people who have never smoked, "ever smokers" had a higher risk (rate ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.3-2.4). Alcohol consumption tended to be associated with a decreased risk, but the results were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that smoking is a risk factor for long-term sick leave due to unspecific back or neck pain. Moderate alcohol consumption tends to have a protective effect, at least among women in the public sector.
Authors: Eva Skillgate; Oscar Javier Pico-Espinosa; Johan Hallqvist; Tony Bohman; Lena W Holm Journal: Clin Epidemiol Date: 2017-10-11 Impact factor: 4.790
Authors: Marianna Virtanen; Jenni Ervasti; Jenny Head; Tuula Oksanen; Paula Salo; Jaana Pentti; Anne Kouvonen; Ari Väänänen; Sakari Suominen; Markku Koskenvuo; Jussi Vahtera; Marko Elovainio; Marie Zins; Marcel Goldberg; Mika Kivimäki Journal: Lancet Public Health Date: 2018-11
Authors: Yasmin Ezzatvar; Joaquín Calatayud; Lars L Andersen; Adrian Escriche-Escuder; Marta Aguilar; Jose Casaña Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-06-22 Impact factor: 3.390