http://repub.eur.nl/res/aut/15391/ List of Publications en http://repub.eur.nl/static-eur/img/logo.png http://repub.eur.nl http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/15846/ 2006-10-25T00:00:00Z Musculoskeletal complaints (MSC), of which low back pain comprises the larger part, represent a considerable public health problem in Western industrialized societies. Th is thesis aims to contribute to the scientifi c knowledge on the prevention and management of MSC, and in particular of low back pain (LBP), in the workplace. Th e fi rst aim is to better understand the consequences of LBP in occupational populations in terms of health care utilization, sickness absence, and productivity losses at work. Th e second aim of this thesis is to determine the eff ectiveness of a back pain prevention program. Th is chapter will briefl y introduce and defi ne the main concepts used in this thesis. Subsequently, the objectives are stated and an outline is provided of the chapters included in this thesis. http://repub.eur.nl/res/pub/13504/ 2004-10-01T00:00:00Z AIMS: To describe the presence of musculoskeletal co-morbidity of the neck and upper extremities among industrial workers with low back pain, and to examine whether it has an impact on healthcare utilisation and sickness absence for low back pain. METHODS: A self administered questionnaire was used to collect data from 505 industrial workers (response 86%). RESULTS: The 12 month prevalence of low back pain was 50%. Among subjects with low back pain the 12 month prevalence of musculoskeletal co-morbidity of the neck and upper extremities was 68%. Among workers with low back pain, subjects with high pain intensity or disabling low back pain were more likely to have musculoskeletal co-morbidity. In comparison to the subjects who report back pain only, subjects with co-morbidity showed worse general health and health related quality of life. No impact of upper extremity co-morbidity was found on healthcare utilisation, and sickness absence due to low back pain. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides no evidence that musculoskeletal co-morbidity of the neck and upper extremities influences the choice to seek care or take sick leave due to low back pain among industrial manual workers. For occupational health practitioners the finding of a high co-morbidity is important to consider when implementing workplace interventions aimed at the reduction of specific musculoskeletal complaints, since the controls for one musculoskeletal complaint may impact adversely on another musculoskeletal complaint. Researchers who perform low back pain intervention studies using generic health measures, should take into account the impact of musculoskeletal co-morbidity on these measures.