Table 2 Association between pain intensity in low-back, neck/shoulders, and knees, and risk of disability pension for all eldercare workers

Low-back

No or low pain (0-2)

4231

49.6

1

1

15.5%

Moderate pain (3-4)

2411

28.3

1.17

(0.99–1.38)

1.20

(1.00–1.44)

High pain (5-6)

1383

16.2

1.35

(1.12–1.63)

1.35

(1.10–1.67)

Very high pain (7-9)

499

5.9

2.23

(1.77–2.80)

2.19

(1.70–2.82)

Neck/shoulders

No or low pain (0-2)

3944

46.0

1

1

23.2%

Moderate pain (3-4)

2197

25.6

1.10

(0.92–1.31)

1.23

(1.01–1.50)

High pain (5-6)

1598

18.6

1.45

(1.21–1.75)

1.60

(1.31–1.96)

Very high pain (7-9)

838

9.8

2.20

(1.80–2.68)

2.34

(1.88–2.92)

Knees

No or low pain (0-2)

6516

76.1

1

1

9.6%

Moderate pain (3-4)

1145

13.4

1.34

(1.12–1.59)

1.26

(1.04–1.53)

High pain (5-6)

578

6.8

1.57

(1.27–1.95)

1.56

(1.24–1.97)

Very high pain (7-9)

319

3.7

1.92

(1.49–2.46)

1.89

(1.44–2.47)