Early Identification of Risk for and Prevention of Sickness Absence Due to Musculoskeletal Pain - an RCT

Background: Musculoskeletal pain is a leading cause of disability in the world. Although the majority of musculoskeletal-related pain conditions, such as low back pain, often resolves spontaneously, pain may recur or persist over a long time, potentially leading to disability and subsequent reduced work capacity and long-term sickness absence. There is a need for early identification of individuals in which this may occur, to prevent or reduce the risk of long-term musculoskeletal pain and long-term sickness absence. The aim of the trial described in this protocol is to evaluate a primary care rehabilitation model, PREVSAM, including early identification of patients at risk for long-term musculoskeletal pain and related sickness absence and a coordinated interdisciplinary rehabilitation programme based on individual and organizational resources.

Methods: Eligible individuals will be recruited from primary care rehabilitation centres, health care centres, and include those who seek care for musculoskeletal pain and who are at risk of developing persistent pain, disability and sickness absence. Participants will be randomized to either treatment according to the PREVSAM model (intervention group) or treatment as usual (TAU) within primary care (control group). The PREVSAM model will comprise a person-centred rehabilitation plan, including coordinated measures within primary health care as well as in collaboration with participants' employers, and when relevant the Swedish Public Employment Agency. The primary outcome sickness absence will be measured at 3 and12 months from the Swedish Social Insurance Agency regarding: the number and proportion of individuals who remain in full- or part-time work, the number of gross and net days of sickness during the follow-up period, and time to first sickness absence spell. Secondary outcomes are patient-reported work ability, pain, health-related quality of life, risk for sickness absence, anxiety/depression, general and pain self-efficacy and disability at 3 months after inclusion (short-term follow-up), and at 6 and 12 months (long-term follow-up). Follow-up of drug consumption and cost-effectiveness analyes will be performed at 12 months.

Discussion: This study is expected to provide new knowledge on how to best identify individuals at risk for long-term disability and sick leave due to musculoskeletal pain, and whether rehabilitation according to the PREVSAM model is effective. The study findings may contribute to more effective primary care rehabilitation processes of this large patient population, and potentially reduce sick leave and costs for healthcare and society.