December/January 2011/2012 (vol. 08/4)

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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 & Environmental Medicine 2011; 68: 590–592.

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Occupational Health at Work December/January 2011/2012 (vol. 08/4) pp41