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van Tilburg M1,2,3, van Westrienen E2,3,4, Toonders S2,3,4, Pisters M1,2,3,4, Veenhof C1,2,3,5
1University Medical Center Utrecht, Physical Therapy Sciences, Program in Clinical Health Sciences, Utrecht, Netherlands, 2University Medical Center Utrecht, Physical Therapy Research, Department of Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy Science and Sport, Utrecht, Netherlands, 3Center for Physical Therapy Research and Innovation in Primary Care, Utrecht, Netherlands, 4Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Department of Health Innovation and Technology, Eindhoven, Netherlands, 5University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Research Group Innovation of Human Movement Care, Utrecht, Netherlands
Background: Medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) are a leading cause of reduced work functioning. It is not known which factors are associated with reduced work functioning in people with moderate MUPS. Insight in these factors can help to better understand the moderate MUPS population and can contribute to future research on developing tailored prevention strategies for MUPS in becoming chronic and on prevention of impaired work performance, work absenteeism and associated work-related costs.
Purpose: To identify which factors are associated with the degree of reduced work functioning, operationalized as impaired work performance and work absenteeism, in people with moderate MUPS.
Methods: Baseline data of an ongoing study on people with moderate MUPS were used in this cross-sectional diagnostic multivariable modelling study. Ten independent variables were measured to determine their association with reduced work functioning: severity of psychosocial symptoms (four domains), physical health, physical activity, age, sex, education level and duration of complaints. Two separate univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed with backward stepwise selection, for both impaired work performance and work absenteeism.
Results: Severity of psychosocial symptoms domains 'depression' (p .01) and 'somatization' (p .05) were positively associated with work absenteeism, while domain 'Anxiety' (p = .128) and 'moderate/vigorous physical activity' (p .01) were negatively associated with work absenteeism (n = 104). The multivariable model explained 17.3% of the total variance (R2 = .173, p .001). Severity of symptoms domains 'distress' (p = .152) and 'somatization' (p .001) were positively associated with impaired work performance (n = 102). The model explained 23.6% of the total variance (R2 = .236, p .001).
Conclusion(s): People with moderate MUPS and a higher degree of reduced work functioning are more often less physically active and often have an increased probability of a depressive and a somatic symptom disorder.
Implications: Employees should recognize early whether or not they are less physically active and have an increased probability of a depressive or somatic symptom disorder. They should feel free to discuss these factors with their employer or health professional, so that preventive measures can be taken.
Keywords: Absenteeism, Work Performance, Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms
Funding acknowledgements: The study is funded by SIA-RAAK-public (PARASOL 2016-2019).
Purpose: To identify which factors are associated with the degree of reduced work functioning, operationalized as impaired work performance and work absenteeism, in people with moderate MUPS.
Methods: Baseline data of an ongoing study on people with moderate MUPS were used in this cross-sectional diagnostic multivariable modelling study. Ten independent variables were measured to determine their association with reduced work functioning: severity of psychosocial symptoms (four domains), physical health, physical activity, age, sex, education level and duration of complaints. Two separate univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed with backward stepwise selection, for both impaired work performance and work absenteeism.
Results: Severity of psychosocial symptoms domains 'depression' (p .01) and 'somatization' (p .05) were positively associated with work absenteeism, while domain 'Anxiety' (p = .128) and 'moderate/vigorous physical activity' (p .01) were negatively associated with work absenteeism (n = 104). The multivariable model explained 17.3% of the total variance (R2 = .173, p .001). Severity of symptoms domains 'distress' (p = .152) and 'somatization' (p .001) were positively associated with impaired work performance (n = 102). The model explained 23.6% of the total variance (R2 = .236, p .001).
Conclusion(s): People with moderate MUPS and a higher degree of reduced work functioning are more often less physically active and often have an increased probability of a depressive and a somatic symptom disorder.
Implications: Employees should recognize early whether or not they are less physically active and have an increased probability of a depressive or somatic symptom disorder. They should feel free to discuss these factors with their employer or health professional, so that preventive measures can be taken.
Keywords: Absenteeism, Work Performance, Medically Unexplained Physical Symptoms
Funding acknowledgements: The study is funded by SIA-RAAK-public (PARASOL 2016-2019).
Topic: Primary health care; Pain & pain management; Mental health
Ethics approval required: Yes
Institution: University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands
Ethics committee: METC UMC Utrecht
Ethics number: 16-532
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
