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Medico-social predictors of low work ability: a cross-sectional study of 2104 workers in southern France
Gauthier Bellagamba1,2,3, Noémie Daumail3, Anne Landi4
1Groupement Interprofessionnel Médico-Social (GIMS), Marseille, France bellagamba@gims13.com.
Objectives:
This study aims to determine the medico-social factors that predicted workers' low work ability (LWA) leading to long-term absenteeism and permanent medical unfitness for work.
Design, Setting And Participants:
This was a cross-sectional analysis based on a cohort of workers followed up by an occupational health service in the south of France.
Outcome Measures:
Employees visited by the service completed the Work Ability Index (WAI), a self-administered questionnaire. A score of 26 points or more defines high work ability while a score of 25 points or less defines LWA (scoring from 6 to 50 points). Occupational and medico-social data were obtained from computerised medical records. Logistic regression models were applied.
Results:
Of the 2104 WAIs completed the baseline questionnaire, the factors most associated with LWA were mental disorders (OR: 3.46), adaptation of the workstation (OR: 2.88) and long/iterative stoppages (OR: 2.87). Blue collar (OR: 2.50), white collar (OR: 2.34), permanent contracts (OR: 1.79), disability (OR: 2.63), recognition as a disabled worker (OR: 2.37), musculoskeletal disorders of the neck (OR: 2.52) and back (OR: 1.69) also appear to be associated with a risk of LWA.
Conclusions:
White-collar and blue collar workers affected by mental disorders and musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and back appear to be significantly associated with a risk of LWA. To adjust LWA preventive measures, future studies are needed to discuss further these risk factors.
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