Chronic back pain among older construction workers in the United States: a longitudinal study.

TitleChronic back pain among older construction workers in the United States: a longitudinal study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2012
AuthorsDong, XS, Wang, X, Fujimoto, A, Dobbin, R
JournalInt J Occup Environ Health
Volume18
Issue2
Pagination99-109
Date Published2012 Apr-Jun
ISSN Number2049-3967
KeywordsBack Pain, Employment, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Occupational Diseases, Occupations, United States
Abstract

This study assessed chronic back pain among older construction workers in the United States by analyzing data from the 1992-2008 Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a large-scale longitudinal survey. Fixed-effects methods were applied in the multiple logistic regression model to explore the association between back pain and time-varying factors (e.g., employment, job characteristics, general health status) while controlling for stable variables (e.g., gender, race, ethnicity). Results showed that about 40% of older construction workers over the age of 50 suffered from persistent back pain or problems. Jobs involving a great deal of stress or physical effort significantly increased the risk of back disorders and longest-held jobs in construction increased the odds of back disorders by 32% (95% CI: 1·04-1·67). Furthermore, poor physical and mental health were strongly correlated with back problems. Enhanced interventions for construction workers are urgently needed given the aging workforce and high prevalence of back disorders in this industry.

DOI10.1179/1077352512Z.0000000004
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22762489?dopt=Abstract

Endnote Keywords

labor force participation/Chronic illness/back pain/construction workers

Endnote ID

69578

Alternate JournalInt J Occup Environ Health
Citation Key7738
PubMed ID22762489
Grant ListU60OH009762 / OH / NIOSH CDC HHS / United States