Occupational and Health-Related Risk Factors for Incident and Recurrent Back Disorders in Danish Fishers-A Register-Based Study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fishers are at risk of back disorders due to their physically demanding work. The aim was to investigate risk factors for back disorders in fishers in Denmark. METHODS: All male Danish registered fishers between 1994 and 2017 were included. ICD-10 codes classified back disorders (M40-M54* and DM99.1-4*). A multistate model on a cause-specific cox regression model was conducted. RESULTS: Of 13,165 fishers included, 16% had a hospital contact with an incident back disorder, and 52% at least had 1 recurrent episode. Having worked in another occupation (HR 1.14; 95% CI 1.02, 1.27) and another musculoskeletal disorder (HR 1.84; 95% CI 1.69, 2.01) were significant risk factors for the incident back disorder. No risk factors were seen for recurrent episodes. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for incident and recurrent back disorders were different; thus, episode-specific initiatives are needed to reduce back disorders among fishers.