Associations between exposure to different types of physical workload and long-term sickness absence in the total cohort
| Exposure | N | Per cent | Percentage of work time | Model 1 | Model 2 | Model 3 | Model 4 | Model 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HR (95% CI) | HR (95% CI) | HR (95% CI) | HR (95% CI) | HR (95% CI) | ||||
| Standing in the same place | 10 044 | 86.0 | 0–25 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1641 | 14.0 | 50–100 | 1.20 (1.01 to 1.42) | 1.19 (1.00 to 1.42) | 1.20 (1.01 to 1.43) | 1.24 (1.04 to 1.48) | 1.19 (1.00 to 1.42) | |
| Back strongly bent or frequent twisting/turning of back | 7214 | 61.6 | 0–12.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4495 | 38.4 | 25–100 | 1.89 (1.67 to 2.13) | 1.82 (1.61 to 2.07) | 1.75 (1.54 to 1.99) | 1.72 (1.51 to 1.96) | 1.59 (1.39 to 1.83) | |
| Arms above shoulder height | 9908 | 84.5 | 0–12.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1815 | 15.5 | 25–100 | 1.67 (1.44 to 1.94) | 1.62 (1.39 to 1.89) | 1.53 (1.30 to 1.79) | 1.49 (1.27 to 1.75) | 1.35 (1.14 to 1.59) | |
| Repetitive arm movement | 8224 | 70.2 | 0–12.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 3496 | 29.8 | 25–100 | 1.04 (0.91 to 1.19) | 1.02 (0.89 to 1.17) | 0.99 (0.86 to 1.14) | 1.26 (1.09 to 1.46) | 1.15 (0.99 to 1.34) | |
| Squatting or kneeling | 10 223 | 87.2 | 0–12.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1499 | 12.8 | 25–100 | 1.72 (1.47 to 2.01) | 1.64 (1.39 to 1.93) | 1.55 (1.31 to 1.83) | 1.41 (1.19 to 1.67) | 1.30 (1.09 to 1.54) | |
| Pushing/pulling or lifting/carrying | 7488 | 63.8 | 0–12.5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 4243 | 36.2 | 25–100 | 1.70 (1.50 to 1.92) | 1.67 (1.47 to 1.90) | 1.59 (1.40 to 1.81) | 1.55 (1.36 to 1.77) | 1.40 (1.22 to 1.62) |
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 based on table 2. Risk estimates are provided as HR 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.
Model 5: model 4+ socioeconomic status.
BMI, body mass index.