Changes in Occupational Disability Due to Back and Neck Pain in the Netherlands
Author Information
Author(s): Ivan A. Steenstra, Jos H. Verbeek, Femmeke J. Prinsze, Dirk L. Knol
Primary Institution: Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam
Hypothesis
Did the incidence of occupational disability due to back and neck pain change from 1980-1985 to 1999-2000?
Conclusion
The incidence of occupational disability due to back pain decreased significantly more than the overall decrease in occupational disability across all diagnoses.
Supporting Evidence
- The incidence of occupational disability due to back pain decreased by 37% in men and 21% in women.
- Overall occupational disability due to all diagnoses decreased by 18% for men and 34% for women.
- Spondylosis incidence decreased by 59% in men.
- Non-specific back pain and neck pain incidence increased by 196%.
- Post-laminectomy syndrome increased by 85% in men and 113% in women.
Takeaway
Back pain used to cause a lot of people to stop working, but now fewer people are missing work because of it. This is likely because doctors are helping people stay active instead of resting.
Methodology
A descriptive study using national statistics to compare incidence rates of occupational disability due to back pain between two time periods.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to differences in diagnostic criteria and the changing demographics of the workforce.
Limitations
Changes in the working population and diagnostic classification systems may affect the comparability of data.
Participant Demographics
The study included both men and women, with a noted increase in women entering the workforce.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.05
Confidence Interval
95% CI 37%–38% for men, 95% CI 20%–24% for women
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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