Scand J Work Environ Health 2004;30(4):279-286 pdf
https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.795 | Issue date: Aug 2004
Work-related risk factors for the incidence and recurrence of shoulder and neck complaints among nursing-home and elderly-care workers
Objectives This study assessed the differences and similarities in the incidence and recurrence of shoulder and neck complaints with respect to work-related physical, psychosocial, and personal risk factors.
Methods A prospective cohort study was carried out among 769 workers of nursing homes and homes for the elderly. At baseline, a questionnaire was used to collect data on personal characteristics, physical workload, psychosocial workload, and the presence of shoulder and neck complaints. After 1 and 2 years, follow-up data were collected on shoulder and neck complaints. Generalized estimation equations were used for analyzing risk factors for the participants with at least one follow-up measurement available (N=556, 72%).
Results In the multivariate model, adjusted for age and gender, obesity [odds ratio (OR) 2.12, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 1.23-3.65] was related to the incidence of shoulder complaints. The incidence of neck complaints was increased for obesity (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.07-3.05), work in awkward postures (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.11-2.78), and poor or fair general health (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.02-2.31). The recurrence of both shoulder and neck complaints was associated with chronic complaints at baseline (shoulder: OR 1.91, 95% 1.36-2.67; neck: OR 1.71, 95% 1.14-2.55) but not with work-related risk factors.
Conclusions The results suggest that there are differences in risk factors for the incidence and recurrence of shoulder and neck complaints.
Key terms elderly-care worker; incidence; longitudinal study; musculoskeletal complaint; neck; neck complaint; nursing-home worker; physical load; psychosocial load; risk factor; shoulder; shoulder complaint; work; work-related recurrence; worker