The combined role of pain and mental health in sickness absence among younger employees

Abstract Background Pain can cause work disability and is common already among younger employees. To prevent pain-related work disability, it is important to understand how pain is associated with sickness absence in this age group and the impact of concurrent mental health, other health related factors and workload. Identifying modifiable health and work-related risk factors for recurrent pain and sickness absence among younger employees with pain, can facilitate prevention of pain and sickness absence. Methods Helsinki Health Study survey data, covering 4683 Finnish municipal employees who were 19-39-year-old at phase 1, were collected in 2017 (phase 1) and 2022 (phase 2). Data on pain, work- and health-related factors were derived from phase 1 and data on pain from both surveys. Register data on total and long-term sickness absence (spells >10 workdays) days were obtained from the employer and the Social Insurance Institution of Finland. Results At phase 1, 42 % reported pain, with 20% reporting chronic (≥3 months) pain. Recurrent pain was reported by 25% (pain at phase 1 and 2). Reporting chronic pain, multisite (>1 body site) pain, or poorer mental health were associated with higher total SA during the subsequent year. Employees with chronic or multisite pain and concurrent poorer mental health were at a higher risk of long-term sickness absence in the subsequent year. Obesity, smoking, manual work, and high physical workload were associated with long-term sickness absence during 27-month follow-up among employees with pain. High physical and mental workload, non-daily vegetable consumption, obesity, and sleep duration other than 7-8h associated with recurrent pain. Conclusions Pain affects a large proportion of younger employees. Promoting favorable physical and psychosocial working conditions, encouraging healthy lifestyles, preventing obesity, and supporting mental well-being may help reduce pain and long-term sickness absence among younger employees with pain. Speakers/Panellists Jutta Lindert Hochschule Emden-Leer, Emden, Germany João Vasco Santos University of Porto, CINTESIS, ARS Norte, Porto, Portugal