Louise Agnew, Venerina Johnston, Maria Landén Ludvigsson, Gunnel Peterson, Thomas Overmeer, Gun Johansson, Anneli Peolsson
Division of Physiotherapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
DOI: 10.2340/16501977-1960

Objective: To investigate the factors related to self-perceived work ability in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder grades II–III.
Design: Cross-sectional analysis.
Patients: A total of 166 working age patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorder.
Methods: A comprehensive survey collected data on work ability (using the Work Ability Index); demographic, psychosocial, personal, work- and condition-related factors. Forward, stepwise regression modelling was used to assess the factors related to work ability.
Results: The proportion of patients in each work ability category were as follows: poor (12. 7%); moderate (39. 8%); good (38. 5%); excellent (9%). Seven factors explained 65% (adjusted R2 = 0. 65, p < 0. 01) of the variance in work ability. In descending order of strength of association, these factors are: greater neck disability due to pain; reduced self-rated health status and health-related quality of life; increased frequency of concentration problems; poor workplace satisfaction; lower self-efficacy for performing daily tasks; and greater work-related stress.
Conclusion: Condition-specific and psychosocial factors are associated with self-perceived work ability of individuals with chronic whiplash-associated disorder.