Objective: The aim of this study was to identify predictors of return to work (RTW) among women on sick leave due to long-term neck/shoulder and/or back pain.
Methods: The study was a prospective survey with a 1-year follow-up. Data on predictors and outcome were collected using a self-administrated questionnaire containing eight instruments – Coping Strategies Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy scale, Sense of Coherence, Multidimensional Pain Inventory, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Demand-Control-Support Questionnaire, Work Ability Index, and Life Satisfaction questionnaire, as well as a set of background questions. A total of 208 women, aged 23-63 years, were included at baseline, and 141 responded at the 1-year follow-up. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of RTW.
Results: Of the 141 women, 94 had RTW and 47 had not at the 1-year follow-up. Women who engaged in more coping by increasing behavioral activities, such as leisure activities, reading and socialization, (OR 1.12, 95% CI 1.02-1.22) and those who more strongly believed they would return to the same work within 6 months (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.12-1.38) had an increased probability of RTW. Getting more social support outside work (OR 0.49, 95% CI 0.26-0.90) decreased the odds of RTW at the 1-year follow-up.
Conclusions: The findings suggested that behavioral activities, belief in returning to the same work and social support were predictors of RTW at the 1-year follow-up. Healthcare professionals should consider these predictors in efforts to prevent prolonged sick leave and to promote RTW among women with long-term neck/shoulder and/or back pain.
Key terms: Follow-up study, musculoskeletal pain, prognostic factors, sickness absence, return to work.