Latent class-derived patterns of musculoskeletal disorders in sedentary workers and chair ergonomic design

Abstract

Objectives. This study aimed to define specific patterns of multisite musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in office employees and to examine how derived patterns relate to ergonomic chair design. Methods. This cross-sectional study of 254 office employees extracted major patterns of MSDs using latent class analysis and investigated the association with ergonomic chair design. Results. Four major patterns of MSDs were extracted using latent class analysis: class 1 (12.1), individuals with high probabilities of MSDs in the neck, shoulders, back and wrists; class 2 (35.6), individuals with near-zero probabilities of MSDs across all sites; class 3 (14.1), those with high probabilities of complaints in the back, hips and knees; class 4 (38.2), those with high probabilities of MSDs across all sites. Considering class 2 as the reference, there was an inverse significant association between seat comfort and membership in class 3 (odds ratio OR 0.94, 95% confidence interval CI 0.89, 0.99) and class 4 OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.91, 0.98, and a significant inverse relationship between body support and membership in class 4 OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.92, 0.99. Conclusion. MSDs can be summarized with latent class-derived patterns among office workers. Ergonomic chair design was significantly associated with type of MSD patterns.