Table 3 Association between pain intensity in low-back, neck/shoulders, and knees, and risk of disability pension for eldercare workers ≤45 years

Low-back

No or low pain (0-2)

1986

49.8

1

1

10.9%

Moderate pain (3-4)

1166

29.3

1.11

(0.85–1.45)

1.15

(0.86–1.53)

High pain (5-6)

627

15.7

1.31

(0.97–1.77)

1.26

(0.90–1.77)

Very high pain (7-9)

208

5.2

1.84

(1.23–2.74)

1.73

(1.12–2.70)

Neck/shoulders

No or low pain (0-2)

1856

46.4

1

1

27.6%

Moderate pain (3-4)

1059

26.5

1.12

(0.84–1.50)

1.24

(0.90–1.72)

High pain (5-6)

708

17.7

1.72

(1.28–2.30)

1.92

(1.40–2.65)

Very high pain (7-9)

374

9.4

2.27

(1.63–3.16)

2.66

(1.85–3.82)

Knees

No or low pain (0-2)

3265

81.9

1

1

9.3%

Moderate pain (3-4)

431

10.8

1.36

(1.00–1.86)

1.24

(0.88–1.75)

High pain (5-6)

198

5.0

1.70

(1.16–2.51)

1.92

(1.28–2.87)

Very high pain (7-9)

93

2.3

2.15

(1.34–3.47)

2.33

(1.40–3.87)