Skip to content
DraconiticResearch
Search Sources API
203,203 studies31 sourcesUpdated 49 min ago
Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0PLOS Global Public Health

Predictors of return to work after shoulder injuries: The influence of health perception and job characteristics

  • Sahand Nik Asa1
  • Elham Mirzamohammadi2
  • Morteza Nakhaei Amroodi3
  • Pouria Tabrizian4
  • Saber Mohammadi
  • Zahra Asadgol
  • Negin Kassiri
4 affiliations
  1. 1Occupational Medicine Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2Department of Occupational Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3Bone and Joint Reconstruction Research Center, Shafa Orthopedics Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4Department of Orthopedics, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Read full textPDFDOICite

Abstract

Shoulder injuries are prevalent among working populations and may significantly delay return to work (RTW). Identifying predictors of successful RTW is crucial for designing effective interventions. This study aimed to assess the RTW status and its determinants among patients with shoulder injuries. In this retrospective cohort study with prospective follow-up, 340 patients with shoulder injuries— such as acromioclavicular joint dislocation, clavicle fractures, and shoulder instability—treated between 2016 and 2020 were included. Data were obtained from medical records and structured telephone interviews. Demographic and clinical variables, health-related quality of life (SF-12), and perceived support from employer and colleagues were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of RTW. Among 340 participants, 67.9% returned to their previous job, 14.1% returned with modifications, 14.4% obtained new employment, and 3.5% did not return to work. Multivariate analysis showed that coworker support (OR=1.88, p < 0.001) was positively associated with RTW, whereas lower employer support (OR=0.585, p < 0.001), lower SF‑12 scores (OR=0.895, p = 0.023), and white‑collar occupation (OR=0.015, p < 0.001) were associated with reduced likelihood of RTW. In addition, health insurance coverage and certain injury types were significantly related to RTW outcomes. RTW after shoulder injuries is mainly influenced by multiple occupational, clinical, and psychosocial factors. Workplace support, overall health status, and job characteristics play important roles in facilitating occupational reintegration. Strengthening rehabilitation programs and workplace support systems may improve RTW outcomes among injured workers.

Related

  1. Shoulder Injuries and Sport-Specific Shoulder Adaptations in Judo Athletes: A Systematic Review
    Krzysztof Kasicki, Wiesław Błach
    Journal of Clinical MedicinePeer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Full textSurgery & anaesthesiaCrossrefEurope PMC
  2. The care of the contact athlete's shoulder: rotator cuff, proximal biceps, pectoralis and latissimus injuries-a narrative review.
    Tyler Gardner, Sydney Solberg, Paul G Shupe +1
    Annals of jointPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDFull textSurgery & anaesthesiaEurope PMC
  3. Game-Level Temporal Patterns Identify Optimal Preinjury Windows for Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in Major League Baseball Pitchers
    Louis S. Kang, Sophia Mavrommatis, Jason G. Ina +4
    Orthopaedic journal of sports medicinePeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-NDFull textSurgery & anaesthesiaEurope PMCPMCEurope PMC
  4. Prevalence and characteristics of self-reported sports-related injuries among university students: a cross-sectional study
    Mohamed K. Seyam, Fahad Hameed Almutairi, Mohamed I. Waly +3
    Scientific ReportsPeer-reviewedCC BY-NC-ND 4.0Full textSurgery & anaesthesiaCrossref
  5. Characteristics and outcomes of haemorrhage, traumatic brain injury and combined injuries from a South African Trauma Cohort Study.
    Maria A Tucker, Sophia Centi, Hendrick J Lategan +12
    BMJ openPeer-reviewedCC BY-NCFull textGeneral medicineEurope PMCCrossref

Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{asa2026predictors,
  title = {{Predictors of return to work after shoulder injuries: The influence of health perception and job characteristics}},
  author = {Sahand Nik Asa and Elham Mirzamohammadi and Morteza Nakhaei Amroodi and Pouria Tabrizian and Saber Mohammadi and Zahra Asadgol and Negin Kassiri},
  journal = {PLOS Global Public Health},
  year = {2026},
  month = nov,
  doi = {10.1371/journal.pgph.0007563},
  url = {https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0007563},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Predictors of return to work after shoulder injuries: The influence of health perception and job characteristics
AU  - Sahand Nik Asa
AU  - Elham Mirzamohammadi
AU  - Morteza Nakhaei Amroodi
AU  - Pouria Tabrizian
AU  - Saber Mohammadi
AU  - Zahra Asadgol
AU  - Negin Kassiri
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/11/06
JO  - PLOS Global Public Health
DO  - 10.1371/journal.pgph.0007563
UR  - https://journals.plos.org/globalpublichealth/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgph.0007563
AB  - Shoulder injuries are prevalent among working populations and may significantly delay return to work (RTW). Identifying predictors of successful RTW is crucial for designing effective interventions. This study aimed to assess the RTW status and its determinants among patients with shoulder injuries. In this retrospective cohort study with prospective follow-up, 340 patients with shoulder injuries— such as acromioclavicular joint dislocation, clavicle fractures, and shoulder instability—treated between 2016 and 2020 were included. Data were obtained from medical records and structured telephone interviews. Demographic and clinical variables, health-related quality of life (SF-12), and perceived support from employer and colleagues were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify predictors of RTW. Among 340 participants, 67.9% returned to their previous job, 14.1% returned with modifications, 14.4% obtained new employment, and 3.5% did not return to work. Multivariate analysis showed that coworker support (OR=1.88, p < 0.001) was positively associated with RTW, whereas lower employer support (OR=0.585, p < 0.001), lower SF‑12 scores (OR=0.895, p = 0.023), and white‑collar occupation (OR=0.015, p < 0.001) were associated with reduced likelihood of RTW. In addition, health insurance coverage and certain injury types were significantly related to RTW outcomes. RTW after shoulder injuries is mainly influenced by multiple occupational, clinical, and psychosocial factors. Workplace support, overall health status, and job characteristics play important roles in facilitating occupational reintegration. Strengthening rehabilitation programs and workplace support systems may improve RTW outcomes among injured workers.
SN  - 2767-3375
ER  -