Prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and associated factors in the Quebec working population

Abstract

Background: While the determinants of musculoskeletal pain are numerous, few studies conducted among workers have taken into account, altogether, physical factors, psychosocial factors (personal and work-related) and individual characteristics.

Objectives: To estimate the 1-year prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the Quebec working population by gender and anatomical site, and to determine which factors are associated with these prevalence figures.

Methods: Data came from the 1998 Quebec Health Survey and included 9,496 individuals. One-year period prevalences for neck pain, back pain and pain in the upper and lower extremities were calculated for men and women. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the associations between individual, physical and psychosocial work factors, on one hand, and musculoskeletal pain in the four body regions, on the other hand.

Results: For both genders back pain was the most frequent musculoskeletal symptom that had disturbed their activities during the past year. The largest difference between genders was observed for neck pain (women: 18%; men: 11%). Multivariate analyses indicated that physical and psychosocial work factors, as well as psychological variables, were associated with musculoskeletal pain in different body regions. Body mass index was associated only with pain in lower extremities for both genders.

Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that interventions aimed at reducing musculoskeletal pain should take into account personal and work-related psychosocial variables, in addition to physical workload.