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Work incapacity from low back pain in the general population
1Department of Population Health Sciences, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
Spine
|October 30, 1998
Summary
Low back pain affects 2.27% of Norway's working population annually, with women experiencing higher incidence. While most recover within months, a significant portion faces long-term disability, highlighting the societal burden of this condition.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Epidemiology
- Musculoskeletal Disorders
Background:
- Growing concern over the socioeconomic impact of work absence due to low back pain.
- Need for precise data on incidence and duration of work incapacity from low back pain in the general working population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and duration of low back pain-related work absence.
- Focus on the general working population in Norway receiving compensated absence exceeding two weeks.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study utilizing national medical insurance data (90% of Norwegian employees).
- Identified 89,190 patients with low back pain (ICPC codes L02, L03, L84, L86) in 1995-1996.
- Used census data for population denominators.
Main Results:
- Overall 1-year incidence of compensated absence for low back pain was 2.27%, higher in women (2.72%) than men (1.91%).
- Median absence duration was 43 days; 85% returned to work within 6 months.
- Low back pain with radiation was associated with longer absence duration (59 days vs. 38 days).
Conclusions:
- Low back pain represents a significant societal burden.
- Prognosis is generally good, even with radiating pain, with most returning to work.
- A substantial minority (42% of those absent at 6 months) faced long-term disability or permanent compensation after 12 months.