Recurrent pain among young and early midlife employees – the role of workload and health-related factors

Abstract

Abstract Background Recurrent pain is associated with subsequent sickness absence and disability retirement, however, its modifiable risk factors have been less frequently studied among young and early midlife employees. This study aimed to identify workload and health-related factors associated with recurrent pain among young and early midlife employees, as this could help specify targets for pain prevention in this age group to mitigate its adverse consequences. Methods The Helsinki Health Study data, covering 3245 (79% women) Finnish municipal employees who were 19–39-years-old at phase 1, were collected by surveys in 2017 (phase 1) and 2022 (phase 2). Data on workload and health-related factors were derived from phase 1, and data on pain from both surveys. The associations of workload and health-related factors with pain recurrence were investigated using multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results Recurrent pain was reported by 25% of the employees. Pain either only at phase 1 or at phase 2 was reported by 16% and 18% of the participants, respectively, whereas 41% of the participants reported no pain at either phase. High physical and mental workload, non-daily vegetable consumption, obesity, and average sleep duration other than 7–8 h were associated with recurrent pain. Conclusions Recurrent pain affects a substantial proportion of young and early midlife employees. Improving physical and psychosocial working conditions, through workplace interventions and multilevel interventions to support healthy behaviors, are recommended to prevent recurrent pain.

Keywords

• Pain
• Health behaviors
• Employees
• Workload