Relationship between impaired work function and coping behaviors in workers with low back pain

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between work functional impairment levels and three coping behaviors of workers with low back pain, which were about seeking medical attention, taking over‐the‐counter drugs, and taking self‐care. METHODS: We conducted a cross‐sectional study on 14 Japanese companies in 2016. Work function impairment was measured using the Work Functioning Impairment Scale. Logistic regression analyses were conducted for the three coping behaviors and odds ratios (ORs) calculated for work functional impairment levels. RESULTS: We analyzed 2232 subjects; 226 were women and 790 worked on production lines. 688 workers had sought medical attention, 436 had taken over‐the‐counter medication, and 1225 had engaged in self‐care. Those seeking medical attention were associated with severe work function impairment compared with no work function impairment (adjusted OR = 2.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.82–4.45, p < .001). We observed a trend for the association between over‐the‐counter drug use with high levels of work function impairment (adjusted OR: 1.19 for low, 1.35 for moderate, 1.65 for severe). There was no apparent relationship between self‐care and the degree of work functional impairment. CONCLUSION: In workers with low back pain, severe work functional impairment may promote medical attention and over‐the‐counter medication use, but it would not encourage self‐care, such as stretching or exercise. Therefore, workplaces need to provide special support to help them take care of themselves. Therefore, it is desirable to provide good support for self‐care in the workplace.