Back pain RTW delayed by poor mental health
Gabrielle Lis
Depression and anxiety delay sustained RTW for workers with work-related musculoskeletal disorders. New mental health problems lead to larger delays than pre-existing problems – and men are more vulnerable to delay than women.Some workers are depressed or anxious before sustaining a work-related musculoskeletal injury. Others might develop a mental health problem after experiencing pain and disability that interferes with life and work. What impact do such mental health disorders have on sustained return to work outcomes? Analysing data from nearly 85,000 workers compensation claims for musculoskeletal disorders in the Canadian province of British Columbia, researche...