The Intensity of Work Recovery in Low Back Pain

Abstract
The intensity of work recovery in LBP [low back pain] was studied using the National Health Register. Men (940) 40-47 yr old, were selected randomly from the census register of the city of Goteborg, Sweden. Sickness absence data were obtained from the Health Register, in which all sickness absence from age 16 is recorded. The rate of return to work decreases as expected with an increase in absence period. Different rates were found for different diagnoses. Low return intensities in patients with sciatica compared with those with back pain, i.e., return to work was slower in patients with sciatica existed. Mean with manual work had a significantly longer average sickness absence than white-collar workers. The intensity of work recovery was lower in blue-collar workers during the 1st 20 days of absence, while the reverse was true after 20 days of sickness absence, i.e., the white-collar workers who were absent > 20 days had a slower rate of recovery than blue-collar workers who were absent for 20 days. Data presented can be used to study the effect of intervention (e.g., manual therapy) on the natural course of work recovery. It also can be used, to study differences in sickness absence patterns between different diagnoses and work groups.