Background & Aims

Lower extremity musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common occupational problems affecting nurses. Investigation of vitality and mental health and their relationship with musculoskeletal pain in nurses may be useful for decision making and convince managers of the importance of these prognostic factors. The aim of this study was to analyze the prospective association between vitality and mental health and increased intensity of painful lower extremity in female hospital nurses during a one-year follow-up.

Methods

Data were collected in a prospective cohort of female nurses from 19 hospitals in Denmark using baseline and one-year follow-up questionnaires to identify potential associations between levels of vitality and mental health (SF-36 subscales) and pain intensity (0-10 scale) in the hip, knee and ankle regions. Associations were tested using cumulative logistic regression. The fully adjusted model included the following confounding variables: age, baseline pain, body mass index, smoking, years of occupation, level of leisure-time, physical activity, number of daily patient transfers, as well as recognition and influence at work (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire).

Results

A total of 1185 participants were included. Mean age was 48.3 (SD: 10.4) years. In the fully adjusted model, significant associations were observed between low levels of vitality and odds of hip pain (OR = 2.70, 95% CI: 1.79 – 4.06), knee pain (OR = 2.17, 95% CI: 1.53 – 3.08) and ankle pain (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.15 – 2.30).
Similar results were found for the association between moderate vitality compared to high vitality nurses.
On the other hand, moderate levels of mental health were associated with higher odds of knee pain at follow-up (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.03 – 3.44).

Conclusions

Low or moderate vitality was associated with a higher likelihood of increased lower extremity pain intensity in female hospital nurses at one-year follow-up compared to nurses with high vitality.

References

Carugno, M.; Pesatori, A.C.; Ferrario, M.M.; Ferrari, A.L.; da Silva, F.J.; Martins, A.C.; Felli, V.E.A.; Coggon, D.; Bonzini, M. Physical and Psychosocial Risk Factors for Musculoskeletal Disorders in Brazilian and Italian Nurses. Cad. Saude Publica 2012, 28, 1632–1642.
Núñez-Cortés, R.; Espin, A.; Calatayud, J.; Pérez-Alenda, S.; Cruz-Montecinos, C.; López-Bueno, R.; Vinstrup, J.; Jakobsen, M.D.; Andersen, L.L. Can Vitality and Mental Health Influence Upper Extremity Pain? A Prospective Cohort Study of 1185 Female Hospital Nurses. Eur. J. Investig. Health Psychol. Educ. 2023, 13, 2192-2201.
Occhionero, V.; Korpinen, L.; Gobba, F. Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders in Healthcare Personnel. Ergonomics 2014, 57, 1166–1191.
Sheikhzadeh, A.; Gore, C.; Zuckerman, J.D.; Nordin, M. Perioperating Nurses and Technicians’ Perceptions of Ergonomic Risk Factors in the Surgical Environment. Appl. Ergon. 2009, 40, 833–839. Trinkoff, A.M.; Lipscomb, J.A.; Geiger-Brown, J.; Storr, C.L.; Brady, B.A. Perceived Physical Demands and Reported Musculoskeletal Problems in Registered Nurses. Am. J. Prev. Med. 2003, 24, 270–275.

Presenting Author

Giselle Horment-Lara

Poster Authors

Giselle Horment

MSc

University of Chile

Lead Author

Joaquín Calatayud

PhD

University of Valencia

Lead Author

Ander Espin

MSc

Lead Author

Jonas Vinstrup

PhD

Lead Author

Markus D. Jakobsen

PhD

Lead Author

Lars Louis Andersen

PhD

Lead Author

Rodrigo Núñez-Cortés

PhD

University of Chile

Lead Author

Topics

  • Mechanisms: Psychosocial and Biopsychosocial