Quantifying the population burden of musculoskeletal disorders, including impact on sickness absence: analysis of national Scottish data

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; impact and effect on work ability. Methods A new centralised telephone-based triage for people with musculoskeletal disorders was set up in Scotland in 2015. Available to most of the population aged > 16 years, (over 3 million people), data were collected systematically on to 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 which had been present >6 weeks. Callers were more likely living in more deprived areas in each age band between 20–64 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 amongst those with highest-impact/risk scores from deprived areas with more acute symptoms. Discussion Large-scale systematic data collection for MSDs emphasises the size and impact of the burden amongst adults aged >16 years. A socio-economic gradient is evident in terms of prevalence and impact of MSDs, particularly for sickness absence.