J Occup Environ Med. 2012 Feb;54(2):192-7. doi: 10.1097/JOM.0b013e31823ea80f.

The effect of body mass index on recovery and return to work after onset of work-related low back pain.

Shaw WS¹, Tveito TH, Woiszwillo MJ, Pransky G.

Author information

1: Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, MA 01748, USA. william.shaw@libertymutual.com

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the effect of body mass index (BMI) on pain and function outcomes in the acute and subacute stages of work-related low back pain (LBP).

METHODS:

A prospective cohort of working-age patients (410 male, 197 female) with recent onset LBP (≤14 days' duration) provided height and weight as part of a study of prognostic factors for back disability. Self-reported pain, functional limitation, and work status were assessed at 1- and 3-month follow-ups.

RESULTS:

BMI (kg/m) was used to categorize participants as normal (31%), overweight (40%), or obese (29%). In prediction analyses, outcomes of pain, functional limitation, and return to work showed no significant variation (P > 0.05) by BMI, with or without controlling for potential confounds.