Table 2 Associations between individual determinants and Work Ability Index (WAI) in cross-sectional epidemiological studies among occupational populations
AuthorsStudy populationWAIDeterminantAssociation (95% CI)Adjustments*
Eskelinen et al 19911389 municipal workers (M), mean age 53 yearsPoor WAI (lowest 25%)Reduced cardiorespiratory capacityOR 1.85 (0.42 to 8.19)None
Impaired mental performance levelOR 1.75 (0.62 to 4.96)None
85 municipal workers (F), mean age 52yearsPoor WAI (lowest 25%)Impaired musculoskeletal capacityOR 9.12 (2.96 to 28.07)None
Impaired mental performance levelOR 1.65 (0.56 to 4.85)None
Fischer et al 200614696 care givers, mean age 34.9 yearsWAI <37Sole breadwinner versus double incomeOR 1.92 (1.32 to 2.81)1A, E 3A 4C 5A, B
Raising underage childrenOR 1.56 (1.06 to 2.29)1A, D 3A 4C 5A, B
Age ⩾40 yearsOR 0.71 (0.47 to 0.97)1D, E 3A 4C 5A, B
BMI ⩾30 kg/m2OR 2.71 (1.55 to 4.77)1A, D, E 4C 5A, B
Goedhard et al 199815141 workers, mean age 39.5 yearsWAI 7–49Age (years)β −0.28 (Sign.)None
VO2max (ml/kg/min)β 0.17 (Sign.)Sickness claims (/year)
Kaleta et al 20062894 workers (M), mean age 43.5 yearsWAI <37BMI >30 kg/m2OR 0.29 (0.03 to 3.07)3B, C
Current smokerOR 1.61 (0.30 to 8.60)3A, B
LT physical activity <1000 kcal/weekOR 7.18 (1.10 to 31.09)3A, C
Fibre intake <30 g/dayOR 27.63 (3.44 to 221.71)None
93 workers (F), mean age 42.3 yearsWAI <37BMI >30 kg/m2OR 1.37 (0.36 to 8.15)3B, C
Current smokerOR 14.84 (3.07 to 26.42)3A, B
LT physical activity <750 kcal/weekOR 2.70 (1.82 to 8.46)3A, C
Laitinen et al 2005162674 Finnish workers (M), mean age 31 yearsPoor WAI (lowest 15%)BMI ⩾35.0 kg/m2OR 1.00 (0.4 to 2.4)1C, 3C
Waist-to-hip ratio ⩾1.0OR 1.80 (1.2 to 2.8)1C, 3C
2948 Finnish workers (F), mean age 31 yearsPoor WAI (lowest 15%)BMI ⩾35.0 kg/m2OR 2.70 (1.7 to 4.4)1C, 3C
Waist-to-hip ratio ⩾1.0OR 2.10 (1.3 to 3.3)1C, 3C
Martinez and Latorre 200629224 office workers, mean age 34.7 yearsWAI <37Age ⩾40 yearsOR 0.84 (0.37 to 1.91)None
FemaleOR 1.43 (0.67 to 2.99)None
Low incomeOR 0.98 (0.47 to 2.03)None
Low educationOR 1.09 (0.51 to 2.30)None
Not marriedOR 1.12 (0.54 to 2.33)None
Monteiro et al 200617651 municipal workersWAI <36.5Age group ⩾55 yearsOR 1.9 (1.18 to 3.18)1B, C, E 3B, C, A
FemaleOR 1.3 (0.90 to 2.12)1A, C, E 3B, C, A
Low educationOR 1.2 (1.01 to 1.55)1A, B, E 3B, C, A
Nygard et al 199118137 municipal workers, mean age 55 yearsPoor WAI (lowest 25%)Poor trunk muscular enduranceOR 6.39 (2.41 to 16.94)None
Impaired mental performanceOR 1.54 (0.61 to 3.92)None
Pohjonen 2001b20636 home care workers (F), mean age 42.3 yearsDecrease in WAI classificationAge 50–62 versus 19–34OR 3.57 (2.04 to 5.88)1C, E 3B 4A, B, C 5A
Hard life situation outside workOR 1.96 (1.03 to 3.75)1A, C 3B 4A, B, C 5A
LT physical activity <1 time a weekOR 1.77 (0.88 to 3.55)None
Punakallio et al 200422135 fire-fighters (M), mean age 40.7 yearsDecrease in WAI classificationPoor functional balanceOR 2.4 (0.9 to 5.4)1A
Poor sway velocity (mm/s)OR 1.8 (0.7 to 4.5)1A
Poor mean amplitude (mm)OR 1.3 (0.5 to 3.2)1A
Poor-to-moderate perceived balanceOR 9.8 (3.8 to 24.9)1A
Sjogren-Ronka et al 20022388 office workers, mean age 45.7 yearsWAI 7–49Good spine forward flexionβ 0.24 (Sign.)2A, C 3B
High self-confidenceβ 0.29 (Sign.)2A, B, C 3B
Tuomi et al 2001251101 Finnish active workers, mean age 58.4 yearsWAI 7–49Physical exercise during free timeβ 1.07 (Sign.)3C
Alcohol drinking (yes/no)β 1.53 (Sign.)3B, C
BMI (kg/m2)β −0.78 (Sign.)3B, C
Smokingβ 0.57 (p 0.30)3B
  • *For the identification of the covariates, see table 6.

  • β, linear regression coefficient; BMI, body mass index; F, females; LT, leisure time; M, males; OR, odds ratio; Sign., p<0.05; VO2max, maximum oxygen consumption.