A1 Journal article (refereed)
Work-related biomechanical exposure and job strain in midlife separately and jointly predict disability after 28 years: a Finnish longitudinal study (2017)


K.C., P., Neupane, S., Leino-Arjas, P., von Bonsdorff, M., Rantanen, T., von Bonsdorff, M., Seitsamo, J., Ilmarinen, J., & Nygård, C.-H. (2017). Work-related biomechanical exposure and job strain in midlife separately and jointly predict disability after 28 years: a Finnish longitudinal study. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 43(5), 405-414. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3656


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: K.C., Prakash; Neupane, Subas; Leino-Arjas, Päivi; von Bonsdorff, Mikaela; Rantanen, Taina; von Bonsdorff, Monika; Seitsamo, Jorma; Ilmarinen, Juhani; Nygård, Clas-Håkan

Journal or series: Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health

ISSN: 0355-3140

eISSN: 1795-990X

Publication year: 2017

Volume: 43

Issue number: 5

Pages range: 405-414

Publisher: Nordic Association of Occupational Safety and Health NOROSH

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: Finnish

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.3656

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access: 

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/55451


Abstract

Objectives We investigated whether the extent of biomechanical exposures and job strain in midlife separately and jointly predict disability in old age.

Methods Participants of the Finnish Longitudinal Study on Aging Municipal Employees (FLAME) in 1981 (aged 44–58 years) responded to disability questionnaires in 2009 (1850 women and 1082 men). Difficulties in performing five activities of daily living (ADL) and seven instrumental ADL (IADL) were used to assess severity of disability (score range: 0–12, 0=no disability). Information on biomechanical exposures and job strain was collected by questionnaire at baseline. Adjusted prevalence proportion ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were modelled using mixed negative binomial regression with robust variance. The joint effect of two exposures was quantified using the concept of relative excessive risk due to interaction (RERI).

Results The overall prevalence of disability (score: 1–12) was 46.7% (women: 41%; men: 57%). Compared to low-level exposures in an adjusted model, the PR of high baseline biomechanical exposures for each one unit increase in the disability score was 1.31 (95% CI 1.10–1.55) and PR of high job strain was 1.71 (95% CI 1.26–2.32). Associations were rather similar in gender-stratified analyses. Furthermore, the joint effect (high strain/high biomechanical) was multiplicative (women: PR 1.32, 95% CI 1.21–1.45; men: PR 1.27, 95% CI 1.13–1.44), but no additive effect was observed when fully adjusted.

Conclusion High biomechanical exposure and job strain in midlife were strongly associated with the severity of disability in later life. The workplace could serve as arena for preventive interventions regarding disability in old age.


Keywords: work burden; physical strain; biomechanics; ageing; disabilities; longitudinal research; disability; exposure; interaction; old age; occupational exposure

Free keywords: ADL; biomechanical exposure; Finland; IADL; job strain; longitudinal study; occupation


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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2017

JUFO rating: 2


Last updated on 2024-08-01 at 17:01