Table 4

Factors that predicted sick leaves longer than 14 days attributed to LBP during the 12 months prior to the 15 month follow up

CharacteristicsOdds ratio (95% CI)
The final equation in a forward stepwise logistic regression analysis, with likelihood ratio test used as the criterion for determining variables to be removed from the model. n = 2907.
The overall rate of correct classification of the dependent variable (predicted outcome compared with the observed outcome) was estimated as 93.70%.
The factors not retained in the final equation were age, gender, level of affective symptoms, sleep complaints, fatigue, long term health problems of any kind, frequency of positioning patients in bed, frequency of handling heavy objects at work, quantitative work demands, positive challenges at work, level of influence on decisions at work, level of control over work pace, level of role conflicts at work, level of support from immediate superior, fairness of the immediate superior’s leadership, the extent of supportive and encouraging culture in the work unit, the extent of pleasant and relaxing culture in the work unit, rewards for good work, exposure to threats and violence at work, level of commitment to the work unit, and level of perceived mastery of work.
Working in a nursing home
    No1.00
    Yes1.38 (1.01 to 1.88)
Working night shifts
    Never1.00
    Sometimes1.52 (1.06 to 2.19)
    Rather often1.39 (0.73 to 2.63)
    Very often1.64 (1.09 to 2.49)
Change of work or work tasks between baseline and the follow up that resulted in reduced support and encouragement at work
    No1.00
    Yes2.79 (1.25 to 6.25)
Have ever changed work or work tasks because of pain
    No1.00
    Yes1.77 (1.20 to 2.61)
LBP during the 3 months prior to baseline
    No1.00
    Yes2.23 (1.58 to 3.14)
Intensity of musculoskeletal pain (any)
    No1.00
    A little1.85 (0.86 to 3.94)
    Rather intense2.91 (1.35 to 6.26)
    Very intense3.56 (1.58 to 8.05)