Occupation, work hours linked to workers' risk for neck pain

(HealthDay)—Occupation and work hours are associated with increased workers' risk for neck pain, according to a study published in the Feb. 1 issue of Spine.

Haiou Yan, Ph.D., from the University of California in Irvine, and colleagues examined occupational patterns of neck pain and the correlation between long work hours and neck pain in the United States. Data were included from a cross-section data set from the 2009 to 2012 National Health Interview Survey.

The researchers found that the top five occupation groups with significantly higher relative prevalence of neck pain included: military specific; arts, design, sports, entertainment, and media; life, physical, and social science; health care support; and installation, maintenance, and repair (odds ratios, 2.50, 1.70, 1.67, 1.55, and 1.54, respectively), compared with workers in the architecture and engineering occupation group, and after controlling for demographic, socioeconomic status, and behavior-related factors. People who worked 46 to 59 hours and 60 or more hours per week were more likely than those who worked 40 hours to report neck pain (odds ratios, 1.20 and 1.35, respectively).

"This study indicates a need for new research efforts and public policies targeted to workers who are susceptible to neck pain in the United States," the authors write.

Relevant financial activities outside the submitted work were disclosed: board membership, employment, royalties, stocks.