Content » Vol 37, Issue 5

Predictive factors for work capacity in patients with musculoskeletal disorders


DOI: 10.1080/16501970510030255

Abstract

Objective: To identify predictive factors for work capacity in patients with musculoskeletal disorders. Design: A descriptive, evaluative, quantitative study. Subjects/Patients: The study was based on 385 patients who participated in a rehabilitation programme. Methods: Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on their ability to work. The groups were compared with each other with regard to sociodemographic factors, diagnoses, disability pension and number of sick days. The patient's level of exercise habits, ability to undertake activities, physical capacity, pain and quality of life were compared further using logistic regression analysis. Results: Predictive factors for work capacity, such as ability to undertake activities, quality of life and fitness on exercise, were identified as important independent factors. Other well-known factors, i. e. gender, age, education, pain and earlier sickness certification periods, were also identified. Factors that were not significantly different between the groups were employment status, profession, diagnosis and levels of exercise habits. Conclusion: Identifying predictors for ability to return to work is an essential task for deciding on suitable individual rehabilitation. This study identified new predictive factors, such as ability to undertake activities, quality of life and fitness on exercise.

Lay Abstract

Comments

Do you want to comment on this paper? The comments will show up here and if appropriate the comments will also separately be forwarded to the authors. You need to login/create an account to comment on articles. Click here to login/create an account.