Associations between exposure to different types of physical workload and long-term sickness absence in the subgroup of blue-collar workers only (socioeconomic status 4 and 5)
| Exposure | N | Per cent | Percentage of work time | Model 1 | Model 2 | Model 3 | Model 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HR (95% CI) | HR (95% CI) | HR (95% CI) | HR (95% CI) | ||||
| Standing in the same place | 3956 | 79.8 | 0–25 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1001 | 20.2 | 50–100 | 1.12 (0.89 to 1.41) | 1.07 (0.84 to 1.36) | 1.09 (0.86 to 1.39) | 1.14 (0.89 to 1.46) | |
| Back strongly bent or frequent twisting/turning of back | 2201 | 44.3 | 0–12.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2765 | 55.7 | 25–100 | 2.01 (1.63 to 2.48) | 1.97 (1.58 to 2.45) | 1.95 (1.56 to 2.44) | 1.65 (1.30 to 2.08) | |
| Arms above shoulder height | 3654 | 73.6 | 0–12.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1314 | 26.5 | 25–100 | 1.51 (1.23 to 1.85) | 1.43 (1.16 to 1.76) | 1.39 (1.12 to 1.72) | 1.23 (0.99 to 1.52) | |
| Repetitive arm movement | 2731 | 54.9 | 0–12.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2244 | 45.1 | 25–100 | 1.10 (0.91 to 1.33) | 1.08 (0.88 to 1.31) | 1.08 (0.88 to 1.32) | 1.28 (1.03 to 1.58) | |
| Squatting or kneeling | 3954 | 79.6 | 0–12.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1015 | 20.4 | 25–100 | 1.44 (1.15 to 1.79) | 1.41 (1.12 to 1.78) | 1.39 (1.10 to 1.76) | 1.15 (0.90 to 1.46) | |
| Pushing/pulling or lifting/carrying | 2137 | 42.9 | 0–12.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 2847 | 57.1 | 25–100 | 1.74 (1.41 to 2.13) | 1.74 (1.40 to 2.15) | 1.72 (1.39 to 2.14) | 1.38 (1.11 to 1.73) |
Cut points for dichotomisation of physical workload were set at 25% of work time, except for ‘standing in the same place’, which was set to 50% of work time. Risk estimates are provided as HRs and 95% CIs.
Model 1: Adjusted for age, gender and year of questionnaire reply.
Model 2: Model 1+psychosocial work environment (influence at work, emotional demands, support from colleagues, support from leader).
Model 3: Model 2+lifestyle (smoking, leisure physical activity, BMI).
Model 4: Model 3+back pain, neck-shoulder pain and mental health.
BMI, body mass index.