The relationship between presenting complaint and occupational activity: A retrospective cohort study

Victoria Welfare                                                                    Supervisor: Simon Browning

Abstract

This study was to determine whether, in a cohort of 144 patients aged 20 – 60 years who have attended the LSO clinic for treatment, there exists a statistically significant association between presenting complaint and occupational activity according to the chi-square test.

“Work posture” has been observed by the author to frequently be included in the diagnosis of patients in the LSO clinic. However, no consensus exists within the research community as to whether posture and activity at work, or psychosocial issues are the most significant contributing factors to the occurrence of WRMDs.

The research was carried out as a retrospective analysis. Case histories were randomly selected and data pertaining to occupation and presenting complaint recorded and analysed using the chi-square test to assess level of association between occupational activity and presenting complaint.

The results showed no statistically significant association between occupational activity and presenting complaint. The author suggests that this may be in part due to differing predictors for musculoskeletal dysfunction between the sexes.