Abstract
BackgroundIn the literature there are discussions on the choice of outcome and the need for more longitudinal studies of musculoskeletal disorders. The general aim of this longitudinal study was to analyze musculoskeletal neck pain, in a group of young adults. Specific aims were to determine whether psychosocial factors, computer use, high work/study demands, and lifestyle are long-term or short-term factors for musculoskeletal neck pain, and whether these factors are important for developing or ongoing musculoskeletal neck pain.MethodsThree regression models were used to analyze the different outcomes. Pain at present was analyzed with a marginal logistic model, for number of years with pain a Poisson regression model was used and for developing and ongoing pain a logistic model was used. Presented results are odds ratios and proportion ratios (logistic models) and rate ratios (Poisson model). The material consisted of web-based questionnaires answered by 1204 Swedish university students from a prospective cohort recruited in 2002.ResultsPerceived stress was a risk factor for pain at present (PR = 1.6), for developing pain (PR = 1.7) and for number of years with pain (RR = 1.3). High work/study demands was associated with pain at present (PR = 1.6); and with number of years with pain when the demands negatively affect home life (RR = 1.3). Computer use pattern (number of times/week with a computer session ≥ 4 h, without break) was a risk factor for developing pain (PR = 1.7), but also associated with pain at present (PR = 1.4) and number of years with pain (RR = 1.2). Among life style factors smoking (PR = 1.8) was found to be associated to pain at present. The difference between men and women in prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was confirmed in this study. It was smallest for the outcome ongoing pain (PR = 1.4) compared to pain at present (PR = 2.4) and developing pain (PR = 2.5).ConclusionBy using different regression models different aspects of neck pain pattern could be addressed and the risk factors impact on pain pattern was identified. Short-term risk factors were perceived stress, high work/study demands and computer use pattern (break pattern). Those were also long-term risk factors. For developing pain perceived stress and computer use pattern were risk factors.
Highlights
In the literature there are discussions on the choice of outcome and the need for more longitudinal studies of musculoskeletal disorders
One group of interest is computer users, among whom several factors have been identified as being associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD); physical/ergonomic factors, working technique, work organization, hours spent typing, psychosocial factors, and gender [7,8,9]
We wanted to make sure to exclude only those variables that did not seem to be associated with musculoskeletal pain, or that were estimated with such uncertainty that no useful information was achieved
Summary
In the literature there are discussions on the choice of outcome and the need for more longitudinal studies of musculoskeletal disorders. The general aim of this longitudinal study was to analyze musculoskeletal neck pain, in a group of young adults. Studies among more general groups have indicated that work-related physical factors (heavy load, awkward positions, repetitive movements) and psychosocial factors (demands, control, mental stress), as well as several individual risk factors (age, gender, obesity, smoking, physical activity), are important in the understanding of neck/ shoulder pain [2,3,10,11,12,13,14]. 'Developing pain' is here defined as when responders had no pain or only experienced pain periods lasting less than 8 days the year preceding baseline, and at one-year follow-up had one or more periods of pain lasting for at least 8 days.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
