Psychosocial work characteristics in relation to neck and upper limb symptoms

van den Heuvel, Swenne G.; van der Beek, Allard J.; Blatter, Birgitte M.; Hoogendoorn, Wilhelmina E.; Bongers, Paulien M.

doi:10.1016/j.pain.2004.12.008

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Volume 114, Issue 1 , Pages 47-53, March 2005

Psychosocial work characteristics in relation to neck and upper limb symptoms

Swenne G. van den Heuvel
- TNO Work and Employment, P.O. Box 718, 2130 AS, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
- Body@Work, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO VUmc, The Netherlands
- Corresponding author. Address: TNO Work and Employment, P.O. Box 718, 2130 AS Hoofddorp, The Netherlands. Tel. +31 235549575; fax: +31 235549304.
Allard J. van der Beek
- Body@Work, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO VUmc, The Netherlands
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Birgitte M. Blatter
- TNO Work and Employment, P.O. Box 718, 2130 AS, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
- Body@Work, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO VUmc, The Netherlands
Wilhelmina E. Hoogendoorn
- The Netherlands Cancer Institute/Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Hospital, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Paulien M. Bongers
- TNO Work and Employment, P.O. Box 718, 2130 AS, Hoofddorp, The Netherlands
- Body@Work, Research Center Physical Activity, Work and Health, TNO VUmc, The Netherlands

Received 11 May 2004; received in revised form 1 November 2004; accepted 15 November 2004.

AIB-400592

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between psychosocial work characteristics and neck and upper limb symptoms and to examine to what extent this relationship could be explained by other risk factors. Data were used from a prospective cohort study in a working population, with a follow-up period of 3 years. The 3-year cumulative incidence rates of neck or upper limb symptoms, neck/shoulder symptoms and elbow/wrist/hand symptoms were 32, 24 and 15%, respectively. After adjustment for potential confounders high job demands was identified as a risk factor for neck/shoulder symptoms (RR: 2.1; CI: 1.2–3.6) and elbow/wrist/hand symptoms (RR: 1.9; CI: 1.0–3.7), and low social support of co-workers was identified as a risk factor for elbow/wrist/hand symptoms (RR: 2.2; CI: 1.0–4.9). Partly, but not exclusively, these relationships were intermediated by an increased exposure to physical risk factors and increased stress symptoms. Personal characteristics did not considerably influence the main effects of the identified risk factors.

Keywords: Psychosocial factors, Musculoskeletal pain, Coping