Effect of Socioeconomic Factors on the Relationship Between Musculoskeletal Pain and Ill-Health Retirement in Korea: Results From the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the relationship between musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and ill-health retirement (IHR) and modifying role of socioeconomic factors.Methods: The data used were samples from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging from 2006 to 2014. IHR was defined as retirement due to health problems before regular retirement age. Hazard ratio (HR) was calculated using Cox proportional hazards model to determine the effects of MSP and covariance on IHR.Results: People who have "any site of pain" were more likely to experience IHR than people with no pain. In the subgroup analysis, risk of IHR due to MSP was higher in the 60s, white-collar, and high-income earners than the other groups.Conclusions: MSP has a substantial negative impact on labor force participation, and there was a clear effect modification of socioeconomic status on IHR risk.