Chronic Knee Pain And Worker Productivity

Abstract

AIM: The aim of this thesis was to examine worker productivity among people with chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis within the Australian context. METHOD: The three main measures of reduced worker productivity were: absenteeism, presenteeism and work transitions. Contextual factors were included to determine whether these factors modify worker productivity. This research utilised a large prospective cohort, followed by a cross-sectional survey and focus groups. RESULTS A small proportion of study participants in paid employment reported being absent from work due to knee problems. Around 80% reported presenteeism due to their knee problems over a 12-month follow-up period. Almost a quarter (24%) of the participants reported one or more work transitions due to knee problems within the last six months. The only significant risk factors for absenteeism were reporting a low mental health-related quality of life. Significant risk factors for presenteeism included reporting marked activity limitations or knee pain, working in semi-manual or manual occupations, reporting problems with one or more other joints, while reporting job instability decrease the risk. Knee pain, co-morbidity and low co-worker support were associated with work transitions, while having an occupation requiring sitting for more than 30% in a typical working day reduced the likelihood. Insights gained from the focus groups included: the extent of physical limitations due to chronic knee pain, the lack of workplace ergonomic policies, the types of work transitions utilized to accommodate knee pain, the complexity of disease disclosure and social support at work and the effect of the unpredictability of future arthritis progression. CONCLUSION Overall this research provides important insights and initiatives to develop a healthy ageing workforce by reducing the burden and risk factors associated with reduced worker productivity among people with chronic knee pain.