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Factors affecting first return to work following a compensable occupational back injury
A Oleinick1, J V Gluck, K Guire
1Department of Environmental and Industrial Health, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor 48109-2029, USA.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine
|November 1, 1996
Summary
Predictors of prolonged work disability after occupational back injuries vary by duration. Factors like gender and industry impact acute disability, while age and employer size influence chronic disability duration.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Occupational back injuries incur substantial direct and indirect costs.
- Previous research on prolonged disability predictors often lacked population-based scope.
- Few studies utilized statewide workers' compensation registries for insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors predicting work disability duration following occupational back injuries.
- To differentiate predictors for acute (< or = 8 weeks) versus chronic (> 8 weeks) disability.
- To analyze a large, population-based cohort of injured workers.
Main Methods:
- A 1986 cohort of 8,628 Michigan workers with compensable back injuries was analyzed.
- Follow-up extended to March 1, 1990.
- Cox proportional hazards analyses with nine categorical covariates were employed.
Main Results:
- The first disability episode accounted for 69.6% of total missed worktime.
- Acute phase (< or = 8 weeks) disability was predicted by gender, age, dependents, industry (construction), occupation, and accident type.
- Chronic phase (> 8 weeks) disability was predicted by age, establishment size, and wage compensation rate.
Conclusions:
- Predictors of work disability differ significantly between acute and chronic phases.
- Clinical practice modifications and employer-focused return-to-work strategies are recommended.
- Employer establishment size strongly influences disability duration, partially mitigated by recent statutes.