The high percentage of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) in various populations underlines
the need for distinguishing between severely and mildly affected individuals. To investigate
MSD from various body parts reported in 1998 as predictors of health related quality of life
reported in 2002, we examined the frequency of MSD on a five-point scale, health related
quality of life (SF-36) and sickness absence among 3087 workers in the aluminium industry
in Norway. High frequencies of MSD from all body parts were related to lower scores on
the SF-36 and increased sickness absence. This relationship was strongest for low back
pain. Workers who reported low back pain “very often” had a mean role-physical score
equivalent to that of the 18th percentile of the general population. The results show that
workers who reported MSD often or very often were severely affected. The five-point scale
of the frequency of MSD can be used to distinguish individuals at high risk for reduced
health related quality of life and sickness absence.
BACKGROUND
The high percentage of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD)
found in studies of general populations and various
occupational groups underlines the need for
distinguishing between severely and mildly affected
individuals. As episodes of MSD may be a normal part
of life and ageing, the challenge is to identify and
prevent the serious and chronic MSD that result in
disability. A description of the impact of different levels
of MSD on outcomes like health related quality of life
and sickness absence is of importance to occupational
health services, workers, employers and society in the
choice between alternative preventive strategies
(Pransky, 1996). In addition, studies have found that
measuring severity of discomfort is useful in evaluating
the efficacy of interventions (Baron, 1996).
The aim of this prospective study was 1) to
estimate the impact of MSD on health related quality of
life and sickness absence four years among industrial
workers, and 2) to find a cut off point on the employed
scale of MSD that discriminates between severely and
mildly affected individuals.
A previous cross-sectional study on these aims
has been performed in the aluminium industry (Morken,
2002). A prospective study provides a better design
about the causation of disease or the consequences of
disease.
METHODS
A prospective study was performed to investigate MSD
from various body parts reported in 1998 as predictors of
health related quality of life reported in 2002. All
employees at the eight aluminium smelting plants in
Norway were invited to answer a self-administered
questionnaire, and 3087 workers answered both in 1998
and in 2002. The occurrence of MSD was recorded
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