Abstract
ObjectiveDevelop a model to predict the prevalence of lower limb pain using indicators of high workplace exposures based on the fifth European Working Conditions Survey, evaluate its impact and explore its significance for work-related health problems.MethodCross-sectional interview data of 35,372 workers from 27 countries of the European Union in 2010 (EU27) were used to develop (20% sample) and validate (80% sample) a logistic regression model for lower limb pain. Independent variables included descriptions of working conditions, assessments of physical and psychosocial exposures at work, and demographic factors. The impact of the model was explored through the amount of lower limb pain cases attributable to work and estimating work absences correlated with lower limb pain.ResultsThe resulting logistic model included ten risks indicators and one preventive factor. The highest odds ratios (OR) corresponded to “tiring or painful positions” OR 2.0, 99% confidence interval (99% CI) 1.9–2.2, and “not satisfied with level of working conditions in the job” (OR 1.6, 99% CI 1.5–1.7). The prevalence of work-related lower limb pain was 16.5% for men and 15.8% for women for the 27 countries of the European Union. Estimates based on the developed model revealed more than 34 million cases of work-related lower limb pain, where four physical risks explained about 22 million cases. In addition, more than 3 million days of absence from work in 2010 could be attributed to lower limb pain.ConclusionLower limb pain is highly prevalent among the European workforce and work exposures are a major contributing factor. Effective workplace interventions should aim at improving working conditions at workplaces with multiple risks.
Highlights
In Europe, work-related musculoskeletal disorders represent a substantial economic burden to society and are one of the major causes of health-related productivity loss (Bevan 2015)
By means of logistic regression analysis with backward elimination and using the European Working Conditions Survey (EWCS) 2010 data, this study identified ten indicators of working conditions that are combined with increased risk of lower limb pain. 30% of the EU27 workers experience lower limb pain which gives an estimate of 62 million within a year
This study is one of the few that have focused on lower limb pain and developed a model, based on working-condition indicators that include both physical and psychosocial aspects
Summary
In Europe, work-related musculoskeletal disorders represent a substantial economic burden to society and are one of the major causes of health-related productivity loss (Bevan 2015). Many studies have investigated the prevalence of and risk factors for workrelated disorders of the upper limbs, neck and low back. Work-related lower limb symptoms have received less attention when compared to other work-related musculoskeletal symptoms in the upper body or low back pain. A small number of studies present evidence that working populations such as nurses, assembly line workers, industrial workers and service and sales workers report work-related lower limb symptoms (Andersen et al 2007; Chee and Rampal 2004; Montano 2014; Roelen et al 2008; Stolt et al 2016).
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