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Prevalence of multisite pain and association with work ability - Cross-sectional study
Ludmilla Maria Souza Mattos de Araújo Vieira1, Tatiana de Oliveira Sato1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of São Carlos, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil.
Background:
Multisite pain (MSP) has been studied among the working population because it is associated with reduced work ability. In Brazil, studies have investigated pain without addressing MSP and its interference with work ability.
Objective:
To evaluate the prevalence of MSP among Brazilian workers from different occupations and to associate MSP with work ability.
Methods:
Participants in the BRAzilian eValuation of Occupational health (BRAVO) database were analysed. The BRAVO database contains information about personal data, musculoskeletal symptoms (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire), occupational stress (Job Content Questionnaire) and work ability (Work Ability Index). The studies were approved by the Ethics Committee and all participants signed an informed consent form. Data were analysed using logistic and linear regression. Sex, age, comorbidities (hypertension, mild emotional disorder and gastritis), type of work (blue and white-collar) and occupational stress were included as covariates of the regression models.
Results:
The prevalence of MSP was 58% (95% CI = 53-62%) among the total sample, 57% (95% CI = 52-62%) in white-collar and 53% (95% CI = 40-66%) among blue-collar workers. The presence of MSP increases the chance of low work ability between 1.8 and 5.1 times. A dose-response relationship was found, with the increase in each pain site causing a reduction of 0.9-1.2 points in the work ability index.
Conclusions:
MSP is highly prevalent among Brazilian workers and should be addressed due to its impact on reducing work ability.
