Abstract

Objectives: To identify risk factors for new episodes of sick leave due to neck or back pain. Methods: This prospective study comprised an industrial population of 2187 employees who were followed-up at 18 months and three years after a comprehensive baseline measurement. The potential risk factors comprised physical and psychosocial work factors, health and pain-related characteristics, lifestyle and demographic factors. The response rate at both follow-ups was close to 73%. Results: At the 18-month follow-up, 151 participants reported at least one episode of sick-listing due to neck or back pain during the past year. Risk factors assessed at baseline for sick leave due to neck or back pain at the 18-month follow-up were blue-collar work, back pain one or several times during the previous year, 1 to 99 days of cumulative sickness absence during the previous year (all causes except neck/back pain), uncertainty of one¡¯s own working ability in two years and the experience of few positive challenges at work. After three years, 127 participants reported at least one episode of sick leave due to back/neck pain during the year previous to follow-up. The risk factors for this pain-related sick leave were blue-collar work, several earlier episodes of neck pain, no everyday physical activities during leisure time (cleaning, gardening etc.), lower physical functioning and, for blue-collar workers separately, repetitive work procedures. Conclusion: The most consistent risk factors for new episodes of sick leave due to neck/back pain found at both of the follow-ups were blue-collar work and several earlier episodes of neck or back pain assessed at baseline. Preventive efforts to decrease sick leave due to neck/back pain may include measures to increase the occurrence of positive challenges at work and to minimise repetitive work procedures. An evidence-based secondary prevention of neck and back pain including advice to stay active is also warranted.