Comparative construct validity of three presenteeism instruments in workers with musculoskeletal complaints: a prospective cohort study
RMD Open, vol. 6, pp. e001281
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare the construct validity of three presenteeism instruments, using health and economic outcomes as external references, among working persons reporting musculoskeletal complaints. METHODS: Data from the prospective Study on Transitions in Employment, Ability and Motivation were used. Presenteeism measurement comprised a global rating of work-ability, and two instruments indicating at-work productivity, and was assessed yearly over 6 years of follow-up. Longitudinal associations between measures of health and subsequent presenteeism, and between presenteeism and subsequent days of sick leave were assessed using generalised estimating equation models. The effect of groups of contextual factors (socio-demographic, lifestyle, personal and work-related factors) was investigated by assessing the change in explained variability. RESULTS: In total, 4523 persons were analysed. The association between physical health and work-ability was stronger than both at-work productivity measures; 10 points increase in physical health (0-100, higher is better) was associated with 0.79 points (95% CI 0.75 to 0.84) better work-ability (0-10, higher is better) in the subsequent year. Besides, work-ability best predicted sick leave; one point higher work-ability was associated with 4 days less sick leave (95% CI -5.09 to -3.63) the subsequent year. Personal factors improved model fit for models on health and work-ability, but conflicting results were seen for both at-work productivity instruments. CONCLUSION: Work-ability showed higher construct validity against health and economic outcomes as compared to at-work productivity, which shows that work-ability is different to productivity (losses). Personal factors are especially relevant when interpreting the relation between health and work-ability or self-reported quantity of work.
Authors 7
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Lennart R. A. van der Burg corresponding
Maastricht University Medical Centre · Maastricht University · Care and Public Health Research Institute
Affiliation as printed
Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+) and Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Leiden University Medical Center · Universidade Nova de Lisboa
Affiliation as printed
Department of Rheumatology, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
NOVA Medical School, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Amsterdam UMC Location University of Amsterdam · Zuyderland Medisch Centrum · University of Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
Clinical Immunology & Rheumatology, Academic Medical Center (AMC), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Department of Rheumatology, Zuyderland Medical Center, Heerlen, The Netherlands
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Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Affiliation as printed
TNO, Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Maastricht University · Care and Public Health Research Institute
Affiliation as printed
Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Maastricht University · Care and Public Health Research Institute
Affiliation as printed
Department of Family Medicine, Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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Maastricht University Medical Centre · Care and Public Health Research Institute
Affiliation as printed
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+) and Care and Public Health Research Institute (CAPHRI), Maastricht, The Netherlands
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