Prognostic Factors and Models for Predicting Work Absence in Adults with Musculoskeletal Conditions Consulting a Healthcare Practitioner: A Systematic Review.

Wynne-Jones, Gwenllian; Wainwright, Elaine; Goodson, Nicola; Jordan, Joanne; Legha, Amardeep; Parchment, Millie; Wilkie, Ross; Peat, George

Abstract

It is difficult to predict which employees, in particular those with musculoskeletal pain, will return to work quickly without additional vocational advice and support, which employees will require this support and what levels of support are most appropriate. Consequently, there is no way of ensuring the right individuals are directed towards the right services to support their occupational health needs. The aim of this review will be to identify prognostic factors for duration of work absence in those already absent and examine the utility of prognostic models for work absence. Eight databases were search using a combination of subject headings and key words focusing on work absence, musculoskeletal pain and prognosis. Two authors independently assessed the eligibility of studies, extracted data from all eligible studies and assessed risk of bias using the QUIPS or PROBAST tools, an adapted GRADEwas used to assess the strength of the evidence. To make sense of the data prognostic variables were grouped according to categories from the Disability Prevention Framework and the SWiM framework was utilised to synthesise findings. A total of 23 studies were included in the review, including 13 prognostic models and a total of 110 individual prognostic factors. Overall, the evidence for all prognostic factors was weak, although there was some evidence that older age and better recovery expectations were protective of future absence and that previous absence was likely to predict future absences. There was weak evidence for any of the prognostic models in determining future sickness absence. Analysis was difficult due to the wide range of measures of both prognostic factors and outcome and the differing timescales for follow-up. Future research should ensure that consistent measures are employed and where possible these should be in-line with those suggested by Ravinskaya et al. (2023). [Abstract copyright: © 2024. The Author(s).]

Citation

Wynne-Jones, G., Wainwright, E., Goodson, N., Jordan, J., Legha, A., Parchment, M., …Peat, G. (2024). Prognostic Factors and Models for Predicting Work Absence in Adults with Musculoskeletal Conditions Consulting a Healthcare Practitioner: A Systematic Review. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-024-10205-y

• Journal Article Type: Review
• Acceptance Date: Apr 23, 2024
• Online Publication Date: May 16, 2024
• Publication Date: May 16, 2024
• Deposit Date: Apr 23, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 24, 2024
• Journal: Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation
• Print ISSN: 1053-0487
• Electronic ISSN: 1573-3688
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-024-10205-y
• Keywords: Absence, Work absence, Systematic review, Musculoskeletal pain, Prognosis
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/797899