Affiliations: Research and Development Unit, Primary Health Care,
Halland, Sweden | Department of Public Health and Community Medicine,
Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden | Research & Development Centre, Kronoberg County
Council, Växjö, Sweden | Department of Health Sciences, Division of
Physiotherapy, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Marie Lydell RPT, Primary Health
Care, Research & Development Unit, PO Box 113, SE-311 22 Falkenberg,
Sweden. Tel.: +46 346 56264; Fax: +46 346 58966; E-mail:
marie.lydell@lthalland.se
Abstract: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) account for the majority of total
morbidity cases in the working-age Swedish population. These disorders are
thought to be the reason given for one-third of total certified sick leave
requests. In addition to the high cost to society, MSD involve both physical
and emotional suffering, pain and financial and social problems for the injured
persons. The aim of this study was to identify predictive multidimensional
factors for sustainable return to work (RTW) in a long-term follow-up persons
with MSD. During the period 1992–1999, 385 persons participated in a
rehabilitation program. Ten years later, 354 of these took part in a
prospective follow-up study. The average post-rehabilitation time was ten years
(range=7–13 years) and 243 persons (69%) completed a
questionnaire. The "working full-time" group (n=110) and
the "sick-listed" group (n=73) were included in the
study. The two groups were compared in terms of predictors for RTW. Multiple
stepwise logistic regression and bivariate analysis, as well as parametric and
non-parametric tests, were used to identify predictive factors. The number of sick-listed days before rehabilitation, age, self-rated pain, life events,
gender, physical capacity, self-rated functional capacity, educational level
and light physical labor were predictors of long-term RTW. Return to work an be
facilitated by planning at an early stage of the certified sick leave period
using instrument that take these predictors into account.
Keywords: Functional capacity, multidimensional factors, musculoskeletal disorders, pain, physical capacity, predictive factors, returning to work, certified sick leave, work capacity
