How to measure the impact of musculoskeletal conditions

doi:10.1016/j.berh.2010.11.002

Best Practice & Research Clinical Rheumatology

Volume 24, Issue 6, December 2010, Pages 723-732

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.berh.2010.11.002 Get rights and content

Musculoskeletal conditions are universally prevalent among all age and gender groups, across all socio-demographic strata of society. Their impact is pervasive yet this is not widely recognised at the level of health policy and priority. Musculoskeletal conditions are a diverse group of disorders with regard to pathophysiology but are linked anatomically and by their association with pain and impaired physical function; encompassing a spectrum of conditions, including inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout; age-related conditions such as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis; common conditions of unclear aetiology such as back pain and fibromyalgia; and those related to activity or injuries such as occupational musculoskeletal disorders, sports injuries or the consequences of falls and major trauma. The increasing number of older people and the changes in lifestyle throughout the world with increasing obesity and reduced physical activity mean that the burden on people and society will increase dramatically. The growing awareness of the burden increases the need for accurate measurement and assessment of the burden as well as measurement of the impact of any public health action. This chapter considers theoretical and practical issues relevant to measuring the buden of musculoskeltal conditions in populations, societies and individuals.

Section snippets

Assessing the burden of musculoskeletal problems and conditions – The theory

Precise information about diseases and injuries, their incidences, their consequence, their causation and their trend is more than ever necessary to inform policy making. In a context where vocal and well-informed people demand more health services and interventions than available resources can finance, decision makers at all levels are increasingly required to evaluate the impact of health policies, to justify the adoption of new ones and to ensure that information is available for comparisons

Assessing the burden of musculoskeletal problems and conditions – In practice

While particular issues are highlighted for specific musculoskeletal conditions throughout the articles in this publication, there are some overarching issues and challenges in finding the parameters for DALY calculations of musculoskeletal conditions that will be addressed here.

First, the case definition for most conditions has neither been universally standardised nor applied consistently in population-based studies. Second, reliable and validated self-report measures are not available for

Summary

The impact from musculoskeletal disorders has been traditionally underestimated when mortality statistics alone were used to measure burden and determine health priorities. Summary health statistics that include measures of the disability are better suited to provide the real impact and importance of musculoskeletal conditions in society. Additional impact such as loss of participation in society and economic impact through direct and indirect costs associated with musculoskeletal conditions

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Cited by (59)

Work from home-related musculoskeletal pain during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid review
2023, International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
Citation Excerpt :
Musculoskeletal conditions refer to various health-related issues with underlying pathophysiology that concern the muscular and skeletal functions [1].
This rapid review explores the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain symptoms associated with work from home conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
We conducted a rapid review across three databases (i.e., PubMed, Medline, and CINAHL) for observational studies that report on the musculoskeletal functions among individuals placed in a work from home setup due to the COVID-19 pandemic, published between December 2019–August 2021. Two independent review authors searched, appraised, and extracted data from the articles included in the final review. A descriptive approach was used to synthesize the narrative evidence.
Forty-four articles were initially identified. A total of six (n = 6) studies met the full inclusion criteria and were included. Among them, there were five cross-sectional studies and one case-control study. The highest prevalence reported were neck pain (20.3–76.9%), low back pain (19.5–74.1%), and shoulder pain (3.0–72.9%). The most common instrument used was the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. One of the common professions that report musculoskeletal pain symptoms associated with work from home conditions were individuals working in the academic sector.
The increased prevalence of musculoskeletal pain symptoms associated with work from home conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic is a concern that should be addressed to prevent negative neuromusculoskeletal outcomes.
This review is in the Open Science Framework registry (osf.io/vxs4w) and the PROSPERO database (CRD42021266097).
- •
  A system in the workplace should be developed for the early detection of musculoskeletal pain.
- •
  Apart from standard occupational safety and proper ergonomic, sustainable policies and programs that address the mental health issues of employees should also be addressed.
- •
  Programs addressing musculoskeletal pain should be available online for employees to address accessibility and ubiquity.
Work-from-home-related musculoskeletal pain during the COVID-19 pandemic: A rapid review protocol
2022, International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has forced various workforce industries to work from home. The work-from-home set-up has exposed some workers to some office-related work, typically not included in their jobs, consequently exposing them to an increased risk for developing musculoskeletal pain.
We will search PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL for observational studies published between May 2020–June 2021. This review will include published peer-reviewed studies in the English language. We will include studies that recruited adults aged 20–65 from any work industry reporting on outcomes related to musculoskeletal functions (i.e., pain, disorder, condition, etc.). Two independent reviewers will screen the search results. Two independent reviewers will accomplish risk of bias assessment using the JBI-MAStARI critical appraisal tools. Likewise, data extraction will be performed by one reviewer and verified by a second reviewer. Pooled prevalence estimates will be generated using Revman V.5.2.1, where Forest plots will be generated to determine overall estimates of random-effects and confidence intervals. To quantify heterogeneity, we will index the I² and X² p-value. A narrative synthesis summarised into tables and themes will likewise be used to summarize the extracted data.
A rapid review methodology was chosen to rapidly synthesize the available literature on the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain associated with work-from-home conditions during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is essential in informing health programs and policies that address both the public and private industry sectors.
This is registered in the PROSPERO Registry (CRD42021266097).
Systematic review of the impact of osteoarthritis on health outcomes for comorbid disease in older people
2017, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage
Citation Excerpt :
There were too few studies focussing on diabetes (three) and obesity (two) to answer the research question for these diseases, although negative impacts of OA were reported. It is generally accepted that the morbidity associated with OA is high1, however, there has only been recent recognition that OA can also be associated with increased mortality5, including through impact on other comorbid disease2–4. In fact, the reported standard mortality ratio for OA of 1.55 is similar to the standard mortality ratio of 1.61 for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection5.
A systematic review was undertaken examining the impact of comorbid osteoarthritis on health outcomes for people aged 50 years or older with cardiovascular disease, diabetes or obesity.
The protocol is registered in PROSPERO (CRD42015023417). Relevant electronic databases and grey literature were systematically searched for studies published in English between January 2005 and December 2016. Two reviewers independently screened studies for selection using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and independently completed methodological quality review. Data was extracted at study level by one reviewer and independently checked by a second reviewer, using a standardized form. The results across studies were qualitatively synthesized with outcomes described and summarized.
Of 1456 articles, we identified 15 relevant studies, with nine good to high quality studies describing significant negative impact of osteoarthritis on outcomes for cardiovascular diseases. There were too few studies focussing on diabetes and obesity to make conclusions in regard to these diseases.
This review provides evidence that osteoarthritis should not be overlooked when impacts of chronic disease on health outcomes and related health service use are considered. There is a clear need for more studies that consider the impacts of osteoarthritis on comorbid disease, especially those that consider the impact of osteoarthritis beyond the morbidity impacts. The management of comorbid osteoarthritis should be addressed for those with cardiovascular disease, and treatment choices considered given this association.
Prevalence and risk factors of work-related musculoskeletal disorders among shopkeepers in Ethiopia: Evidence from a workplace cross-sectional study
2024, PLoS ONE
Prevalence of Postural Changes and Musculoskeletal Disorders in Young Adults
2023, International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Protocol for a systematic literature review of smartphone apps to support the self-management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases: development strategies, theoretical underpinnings and barriers to engagement
2023, Systematic Reviews

View all citing articles on Scopus

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1How to measure the impact of musculoskeletal conditions

Section snippets

Assessing the burden of musculoskeletal problems and conditions – The theory

Assessing the burden of musculoskeletal problems and conditions – In practice

Summary

Understanding the burden of musculoskeletal conditions. The burden is huge and not reflected in national health priorities 4

BMJ

The bone and joint decade 2000–2010. Inaugural Meeting 17 and 18 April 1998

Acta Orthopaedica Scandinavica

Economic burden of rheumatic diseases

Living with osteoarthritis: patient expenditures, health status, and social impact

Arthritis and rheumatism

Living with rheumatoid arthritis: expenditures, health status, and social impact on patients

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

The bone and joint decade 2000–2010

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases

Summary measures of population health: report of findings on methodologic and data issues

A comprehensive assessment of mortality and disability from diseases, injuries, and risk factors in 1990 and projected to 2020 (Global Burden of Disease and Injury Series, Vol. 1)

World Bank

Quantifying the burden of disease: the technical basis for disability-adjusted life years

Bulletin of the World Health Organization

1
How to measure the impact of musculoskeletal conditions