December/January 2011/2012 (vol. 08/4)
ContentsFeaturesNewsLegal
NewsResearch DigestResearch PlusCPD
Research Plus
Does pain predict absence in general workers?
A prospective cohort study of more than 5,000 manual and white collar workers finds that low back pain and hard/wrist pain at baseline increases the risk of future long-term sickness absence (at least three consecutive weeks off work in the two year follow-up) by 30% and 49% respectively. However, neck and shoulder pain is a risk factor for white collar workers only (35% increased risk), and knee pain is not a significant factor for either group of workers.
Occupational Health at Work December/January 2011/2012 (vol. 08/4) pp41