The Association Between Beliefs About Low Back Pain and Work Presenteeism

The Association Between Beliefs About Low Back Pain and Work Presenteeism: "Objective: To examine the influence of beliefs about low back pain (LBP) on reduced productivity at work ('presenteeism') caused by LBP.
Methods: Two thousand five hundred seven individuals completed the Back Beliefs Questionnaire, the Fear Avoidance Beliefs questionnaire (FABQ), and questions about LBP-related work-absence, reduced work-productivity, pain, comorbidity, and demographics.
Results: Six hundred seventy (25%) individuals were of working age, employed and reported current LBP. Univariate models showed beliefs were more 'negative' in individuals with work-absence and reduced productivity (P = 0.0001). In multivariable analysis, controlling for confounders, 'FABQwork' was a unique predictor of both absenteeism and presenteeism (each, P = 0.0001), though with small effect sizes.
Conclusions: Negative beliefs about LBP are associated with both work absence and reduced work-productivity. Further investigations should examine their potential as a target for educational interventions when considering initiatives to reduce the socioeconomic costs of LBP.
(C)2009The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine"