Musculoskeletal problems in bricklayers as a function of length of employment: The role of secondary selection by low-back pain |
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Authors: | H Heuer F Klimmer H Kylian A Seeber K H Schmidt G Hoffmann |
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Institution: | 1. Institut für Arbeitsphysiologie, Abt. Arbeitspsychologie , Ardeystr. 67, 44139, Dortmund, Germany;2. Bau-BG Wuppertal, Arbeitsmedizinischer Dienst , Hofkamp 84, 42103, Wuppertal, Germany |
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Abstract: | Abstract Low-back problems that are caused by heavy physical work should increase with the length of employment. In a cross-sectional study 195 bricklayers were interviewed and subjected to a medical examination concerned with complaints and functional impairments of the musculoskeletal systems of different body regions (neck/shoulder, arms/hands, back, hip/legs/feet). Summary variables for complaints and impairments indicated an increase with increasing age. Contrary to expectation, in pairs of bricklayers of the same age, but different length of employment, a general decline of complaints and impairments with longer employment was observed. This finding suggested a healthy worker effect. In a follow-up the turnover rate among 190 of the 195 bricklayers of the original study was determined. Bricklayers who had quit the job had a higher incidence of low-back troubles before leaving than bricklayers who had stayed in the job; the relation between turnover and low-back problems was limited to bricklayers older than about 40 years. |
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Keywords: | Musculoskeletal prblems Back pain Bricklayers |
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