OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess both personal and occupational risk factors for non-specific neck disorder (ND) in a representative working population characterized by various levels of exposure to work-related constraints. ND during the preceding 7 days was assessed in 3,710 workers surveyed by 83 occupational physicians between 2002 and 2005. Personal risk factors and work exposure were assessed by a standardized examination and a self-administered questionnaire. Associations between ND and personal and occupational factors were analyzed using logistic regression modeling separately in men and in women.

RESULTS: The personal risk factors for ND were age (OR for 1-year increment 1.02, 95% CI 1.01 to 1.03 in men and 1.03 [1.01-1.04] in women) and previous history of arthritis disease (OR 2.39 [1.17-4.91] in men and 3.95 [1.92-8.12] in women). The risk of ND increased with previous history or upper limb musculoskeletal disorders in men (OR 1.58 [1.17-2.13]) and decreased with BMI in women (OR for 1-kg/m(2) increment 0.96, [0.93-0.99]). The work-related risk factors of ND were sustained or repeated arm abduction (OR 2.08 [1.35-3.21] in men and 2.22 [1.27-3.86] in women) and neck flexion (OR 1.64 [1.26-2.12] in women). Work pace dependent on customers (OR 1.42 [1.10-1.83]) and psychological demand of the task (OR 1.49 [1.15-1.92]) increased the risk of ND in men. Work pace dependent on quantified targets (OR 1.37 [1.05-1.79]) and low supervisor support (OR 1.68 [1.30-2.17]) increased the risk of ND in women. This study highlighted the multifactorial nature of ND.