RISK FACTORS FOR CHRONIC WIDESPREAD PAIN AMONG OLDER WORKERS: FINDINGS FROM THE HEALTH AND EMPLOYMENT AFTER FIFTY (HEAF) STUDY

Abstract Background Incident chronic widespread pain (CWP) is associated with demographic and personal risk factors such as low mood and somatisation. More recently, there has been increased focus on the role of workplace factors on CWP. However, evidence from studies exploring the interaction of demographic, personal risk factors, job activities and psychosocial aspects of work on pain in older workers is limited. We assessed several potential determinants of the onset of CWP among participants in the HEAF study, a prospective UK cohort. Methods A cohort of participants aged 50-64 years were recruited from 24 English general practices in 2013-14 and have been followed-up annually by postal questionnaire. At baseline, information was collected about demographic and employment circumstances, physical workload, psychosocial aspects of work and their general health, mood and well-being. At three years of follow-up, information about pain was also obtained by reporting painful sites on a body mannikin, and CWP was defined according to the ACR criteria. Associations between potential risk factors and the onset of new CWP were explored using logistic regression modelling. Effect estimates were summarised by odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results HEAF recruited a total of 8,134 people aged 50-64 years at baseline. Among the N = 3,909 still at work at three years’ follow-up, N = 3,873 did not report CWP in the first two years of follow-up. The incidence of CWP at three years follow-up was 7.4% (males: 5.7%; females: 8.9%). Multivariate analyses showed that the strongest predictors of the onset of new CWP were: female sex (OR(95% CI): 1.7(1.2-2.3)), reporting that they have low expectations of coping with physical demands of the job (OR (95%CI): 2.1 (1.5-3.0)); somatisation (OR(95%CI): 2.1(1.3-3.2)) and poor self-rated health (OR(95%CI): 2.3(1.7-3.2)). Physical workload and other psychosocial aspects of work were also significantly associated with onset of CWP but with relatively smaller effect sizes (physical workload OR(95%CI): 1.2(1.1-1.3)); lack of appreciation OR (95% CI): 1.6(1.1-2.5)) Conclusion Our results complement previous findings that physical loading at work independently predicts the onset of CWP. However, personal risk factors like self-rated health and work-related expectations demonstrated stronger effects. These findings can inform future interventions for prevention of CWP. Disclosures G. Ntani None. S. D'Angelo None. C. Harris None. C. Linaker None. K. Walker-Bone None.