Occupational chronic neck and shoulder pain: Study conducted in Sweden

In 1969 a population-based study was conducted in Stockholm. From the 2579 randomly selected participants (age 18-65 in 1969), the youngest subsets were asked to participate in a re-examination in 1993. In 1997 a second follow-up was performed. The aim of the present study was to identify work- and leisure-time-related conditions that contribute to the development of chronic neck/shoulder pain. Variables regarding both physical, psychosocial and lifestyle conditions from the 1993 re-examination were included in the analyses. Women were more likely to developed chronic neck/shoulder pain than men. Among women, poor coping strategies, lack of social support, time pressure at work and work with hands above shoulder level were found to be associated with chronic neck/shoulder pain. No associations were found among men. Signs at a medical examination could only predict chronic pain to a minor extent. The results from this study shows that both work- and leisure-time-related conditions contribute to the development of chronic neck/shoulder pain among middle aged women.