Influence of gender and age on musculoskeletal symptoms in white-collar and blue-collar workers: a cross-sectional study

Objectives. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among blue-collar and white-collar workers stratified by gender and age. Methods. The sample was composed of 390 blue-collar and 510 white-collar workers. Musculoskeletal symptoms were evaluated using the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire. An independent t test or Mann-Whitney test was used for inter-group comparisons. The chi(2) association test was applied for categorical variables. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influence of gender and age on musculoskeletal symptoms. Results. The prevalence of shoulder, lower back and ankle/foot symptoms was higher among blue-collar workers compared to white-collar workers. In the analysis stratified by gender, female blue-collar workers had a higher frequency of shoulder symptoms and male blue-collar workers had a higher frequency of lower back symptoms. In the analysis stratified by age, younger blue collar-workers had a higher frequency of shoulder, lower back and ankle/foot symptoms compared to young white-collar workers, and older white-collar workers had a higher frequency of neck symptoms compared to older blue-collar workers. Conclusions. Gender and age exerted an influence on self-reported symptoms in blue-collar and white-collar workers.