Threshold of Musculoskeletal Pain Intensity for Increased Risk of Long-Term Sickness Absence among Female Healthcare Workers in Eldercare

Authors: Lars L. Andersen, Thomas Clausen, Hermann Burr, Andreas Holtermann

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0041287

Abstract Summary

Study of 8,732 Danish female healthcare workers reveals critical pain thresholds that predict long-term sick leave: knee pain at level 3, neck/shoulder pain at 4, and low back pain at 5 (on 0-9 scale). Knee pain shows the lowest threshold for triggering extended absence, suggesting targeted interventions could help prevent work disability in this high-risk occupation.

Why Brain? 🧠

Female healthcare workers face increased long-term sick leave risk at specific pain thresholds: knee pain at 3/9 intensity, neck/shoulder at 4/9, and low back at 5/9, enabling targeted prevention.

License: CC BY.

The image is AI-generated for illustrative purposes only. Courtesy of Midjourney.