# Musculoskeletal pain associated with common mental disorders among bus terminal workers in Brazil

## TL;DR

This study finds that musculoskeletal pain and smoking are linked to mental disorders like stress and depression among bus terminal workers in Brazil.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific associations between mental health symptoms and factors like leg/back pain and smoking in a specific occupational group.

## Key findings

- Self-reported leg pain was associated with depression, anxiety, and stress.
- Smoking was linked to higher odds of depression and stress.
- Back pain was associated with increased odds of stress.

## Abstract

Common mental disorders affect almost one billion people worldwide and are among the
main causes of work absenteeism, representing a high cost for society.

We aimed to identify factors associated with symptoms of common mental disorders among
workers in urban bus terminals in Fortaleza, Brazil.

This analytical cross-sectional study was based on data from periodical and
pre-admission medical examinations performed in 2022. We investigated mental disorder
symptoms with the Depression Anxiety & Stress Scales 21, correlating associated
factors through multivariate analysis.

The prevalence of stress and anxiety was about 11%, while that of depression was 8.3%.
Self-reported leg pain was associated with depression, anxiety, and stress. Smoking was
associated with depression (adjusted odds ratio 4.96; p = 0.002) and stress (adjusted
odds ratio 4.08; p = 0.003). Back pain was associated with stress (adjusted odds ratio
2.26; p = 0.018).

To develop initiatives to reduce symptoms of common mental disorders and absenteeism,
common mental disorders in workers should be assessed jointly with associated factors,
such as chronic pain, smoking, and social factors.