Quantifying the population burden of musculoskeletal disorders, including impact on sickness absence: analysis of national Scottish data. Issue 2 (6th May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Walker-Bone, Karen; Storkey, Helen; Peacock, Julie; Ellis, Benjamin; Ly, Michael; Hill, Jonathan; O'Malley, James
• Is Part Of: Rheumatology advances in practice. Volume 6:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-05-06
• Subjects: musculoskeletal disorders -- burden -- systematic data -- prevalence -- sickness absence -- deprivation; Rheumatology -- Periodicals; Rheumatology; Rheumatic Diseases; Rheumatology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodical; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1093/rap/rkac030
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2514-1775

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) account for the greatest burden of years lived with disability globally. To prevent disability, good-quality services need to be commissioned, appropriate for local need. We analysed data collected systematically from a new musculoskeletal service serving 70% of the population of Scotland to evaluate: age- and sex-specific occurrence; anatomical distribution; and impact and effect on work ability. Methods: A new centralized telephone-based triage for people with musculoskeletal disorders was set up in Scotland in 2015. Available to most of the population aged >16 years (>3 million people), data were collected systematically into a database detailing: anatomical site, nature of onset, duration, impact/risk (modified STarT score), deprivation level and, for those in employment, sickness absence. Results: Data were available from 219 314 new callers, 2015–18. Calls were more frequently from women (60%), increased with age until the eighth decade, and 66% reported symptoms that had been present for >6 weeks. Callers were more likely to be living in more deprived areas in each age band between 20 and 64 years and tended to have higher-impact symptoms. The majority (53%) of callers were in employment, and 19% of these were off sick because of their symptoms. Sickness absence was more common among those with highest impact/risk scores from deprived areas with more acute symptoms. Discussion: Large-scale systematic data collection for MSDs emphasizes the size and impact of the burden among adults aged >16 years. A socio-economic gradient is evident in terms of prevalence and impact of MSDs, particularly for sickness absence.