The impact of musculoskeletal pain and strenuous work on self-reported physical work ability: a cohort study of Swedish men and women

Objective We investigated the separate and combined effects of musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and strenuous work (heavy physical workload (PWL)/low-decision authority) on poor physical work ability (WA). Methods This study uses baseline data from the 2010 Stockholm Public Health Questionnaire (SPHQ) including 9419 workers with good physical WA. Exposure to PWL and decision authority were estimated using sex-specific job-exposure matrices linked to occupations. Exposures (high/low) were combined with the presence of MSP. Follow-up data on physical WA were taken from the 2014 SPHQ and dichotomised (the responses: moderate, rather poor and very poor indicated poor WA). Logistic regression models calculated sex-specific odds ratios adjusting for age, education and health and lifestyle factors. Interaction between MSP and strenuous work was examined using the synergy index (SI). Analyses were conducted using SPSS.27. Results MSP, heavy PWL and low-decision authority were separately associated with poor WA. MSP was associated with higher odds of poor WA than strenuous work for women, the opposite for men. Combinations of MSP and strenuous work often resulted in higher risks of poor WA than when adding the effects of the single exposures (e.g., MSP and heavy PWL men: AOR 4.04 95% CI 2.00-8.15, women: AOR: 3.25 95% CI 1.81-5.83). The SI was non-significant for both sexes. Conclusion Workers with MSP and strenuous work often had higher risks of poor WA than would be expected from adding the effects of the single exposures. To decrease poor WA in this group, strenuous work should be lowered, and MSP addressed in workplaces.

Automated summary

This study found that musculoskeletal pain, heavy physical workload (PWL), and low-decision authority were each associated with poor physical work ability (WA). Musculoskeletal pain had a higher odds of poor WA for women compared to strenuous work, whereas the opposite was observed for men. Combinations of musculoskeletal pain and strenuous work often resulted in higher risks of poor WA than when adding the effects of the single exposures.