Chronic MSK Pain and Earlier Retirement Save

Frequent musculoskeletal pain is linked with an increased risk of exiting work and retiring earlier, according to a new study published in the journal PLOS ONE.

The study included 1,156 individuals aged 50+ living in England as part of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Over the course of the 14-year data collection period, 1,073 of the individuals retired.

The researchers found that people with musculoskeletal pain complaints tended to retire earlier compared to pain-free participants. Participants suffering from musculoskeletal pain were also 1.25 times more likely to cease work sooner, whether or not they described themselves as retired. 

While work dissatisfaction was associated with earlier retirement (HR = 1.29, CI = 1.03–1.62), those withmusculoskeletal pain complaints also retired earlier (HR = 1.30, CI = 1.12–1.49) compared to pain free participants.  

Previous studies have shown higher rates of absenteeism, reduced working capacity and reduced income for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, but few studies have specifically focused on the effects of chronic pain on the employment status of older populations. 

Other factors associated with earlier retirement age included higher work dissatisfaction and higher self-perceived social status. Frequent musculoskeletal pain remained a significant predictor of earlier retirement and risk of finishing work at earlier ages even when taking into account the influence of job satisfaction, depressive symptoms, self-perceived social status, sex, and working conditions. 

The authors conclude that pain experiences can lead to poor work outcomes and point out that further research should establish the mechanisms and decision making involved in leaving the workforce for people with frequent musculoskeletal pain.