[Backache and and related absenteeism]

The aim of this work was to compare the outcome of the questionnaire survey of low back pain with data on related sickness absenteeism. The questionnaire was responded by 585 (88.8%) employees. Of these number 288 (49.2%) respondents complained of low back pain. Sick leaves were given to 48 (16.7%) persons who had reported low back pains in the questionnaire and to 25 (8.4%) employees of 297 who had not reported the pain and also to 4 (5.4%) persons of 57 who had not responded to the questionnaire. Among those who had not complained of low back pain and were given sick leaves, mostly short ones, there were mainly men and blue collar workers. On the basis of our survey it seems that the analysis of sickness absenteeism due to low back pain does not completely reflect the prevalence of this disease, and that epidemiological studies of the prevalence should also take into consideration relevant sickness absenteeism.