TY - JOUR T1 - Combined ergonomic exposures and development of musculoskeletal pain in the general working population: A prospective cohort study JO - Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health PY - 2021/5VL - 47 IS - 4 SP - 287 EP - 295 AU - Andersen, Lars L AU - Vinstrup, Jonas AU - Sundstrup, Emil AU - Skovlund, Sebastian Venge AU - Villadsen, Ebbe AU - Thorsen, Sannie Vester M3 - doi: 10.5271/sjweh.3954 UR - https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=3954 KW - back pain KW - cohort study KW - ergonomic KW - exposure KW - musculoskeletal disorder KW - musculoskeletal pain KW - neck pain KW - occupational exposure KW - occupational exposure KW - physical workload KW - prospective cohort study KW - shoulder pain N2 - '

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OBJECTIVE ': 'This study aimed to investigate the importance of combined ergonomic exposures at work for the development of musculoskeletal pain.

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METHODS ': 'Through four rounds (2012–2018) of the Work Environment and Health in Denmark Study, 18 905 employees of the general working population replied to a baseline and 2-year follow-up questionnaire. First, a k-means cluster analysis of seven ergonomic factors (back bending, arm above shoulders, lifting etc., from ‘never’ to ‘almost all the time’) identified nine naturally occurring clusters. Second, using a weighted survey regression model controlling for age, gender, survey year, education, lifestyle, influence at work, and pain intensity at baseline, we estimated development of pain intensity (0–10) in the neck-shoulder and low-back in these clusters. The largest cluster served as reference to the other clusters and was characterized by low ergonomic exposures.

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RESULTS ': 'Clusters characterized by multiple combined ergonomic exposures for a relatively high percentage of the working time showed the largest increase in neck-shoulder as well as low-back pain intensity from baseline to follow-up. However, clusters characterized by high exposure to a few specific ergonomic factors also increased pain significantly, eg, standing/walking combined with lifting/carrying or twisted/bent back for the majority of the working time increased low-back pain, whereas repetitive arm movements for the majority of the working time with or without standing/walking increased neck-shoulder pain.

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CONCLUSION ': 'Combined occupational ergonomic exposures play an important role in the development of musculoskeletal pain. Workplace preventive approaches should consider this in risk assessments and organization of the work.

SN - 0355-3140 ER -