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Musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases affect a substantial proportion of the population. Specialist consultations were offered at the workplace for people with musculoskeletal (MSK)-complaints. We analyzed data on pain and well-being as well as health economic data at baseline. Lasting effects of the consultation were analyzed at a follow-up-interview after 12 months. Baseline data of 344 individuals were available. Occupations were divided into physically highly demanding (HD) or less demanding. Women reported significantly higher pain levels and less QoL than men. Sick leave days were significantly more in HD-workers. Independent of workload, significantly higher percentages of women had cervical- and upper limb-pain than men, with significantly higher pain in upper limbs in HD-workers. 235 participants were available for telephone-follow-up. QoL and MSK-pain improved significantly. Yearly out-of-pocket spendings for treatments significantly increased. NSAID use significantly decreased, whereas use of non-drug musculoskeletal-medical-services was significantly higher after one year. Regarding MSK-symptoms in gainfully employed individuals, the study showed significantly different workload-dependent differences in QoL. Significant effects of a consultation by a MSK-specialist were shown in terms of improved MSK-pain and overall well-being. This workplace-centered consultation had significant effects on beneficial health-behavior such as decreased use of NSAID and increased engagement in gymnastics and physiotherapy.

BackgroundActively employed people with musculoskeletal complaints frequently seek medical advice only when symptoms have become chronic and have led to loss of workability.ObjectivesIn this study,a brief examination was offered in the workplace setting in order to detect and to counsel individuals with symptoms of Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases(RMDs).MethodsEmployees of four companies were sent a screening questionnaire regarding musculoskeletal problems. In case of a positive screening, consultation by RMD specialists was offered which took place close to the workplace. If necessary, participants were referred to a practice/clinic specialised in RMDs (Orthopaedics, Rheumatology, Physical Medicine). Employees’ work was categorised into physically highly demanding(HD) and less demanding(LD).From participants consenting to follow-up, additional data were acquired: demographics, known pre-existing RMD, pain intensity, affected region(s), current treatment, number of sick leave-days due to musculoskeletal complaints, and out of pocket costs for treatments during the preceding year. General wellbeing and depression were measured by Euroquol-5d(EQ-5d) and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS). After one year, information about general wellbeing, pain intensity, treatment, individual costs, and days of sick leave during the intervening year was collected by telephone-interview.Results6170 employees were invited.413 participated in the counselling program, 344 were enrolled in the study.56.6% of the participants had no previously diagnosed RMD, after the specialists’ assessment, this percentage decreased to 35.7%. Men with LD workload had significantly higher wellbeing(EQ-5d scale):77.3±15.1 compared to women with both LD(71.0±20.1,p=0.034) and HD(64.6±21.3,p=0.001).LD and HD differed significantly regarding percentage with painful upper(28.6 vs. 45.3,p=0.006) and lower(49.6 vs. 65.3,p=0.016) limbs. Back pain was distributed equally among all groups.HD women reported significantly higher use of NSAIDs (55.1% vs. 27.7% in female LD,21.7% in male HD,23.5% in male LD,p=0.001).HD men showed the lowest (4.1±2.9), HD women showed the highest HADS anxiety-score (6.3±3.8,p=0.042).235 individuals participated in telephone follow-up. There was significant improvement in wellbeing(mean 77.2±17.4 vs. 73.6±18.2 at baseline,p=0.006) and in rating of RMD pain(mean 27.8±24.9 vs. 40.8±24.6 at baseline,p=0.001). Participants who were suspected by the specialist to suffer from RMDs had significantly increased out of pocket costs after one year(mean in € 441.8±861.6 vs. 254.1±407.0,p=0.026). Use of NSAIDs decreased significantly from 29.1% to 17.4%,p=0.02. Converesely, rates of use of physiotherapy(7.6 vs. 24.7, p=0.001), gymnastics(2.7 vs. 23.4,p=0.001), physical therapy(12.8 vs. 43.3,p=0.027) and complementary/alternative methods(7.4 vs. 13.2,p=0.003) were significantly increased.ConclusionsIn our study we found most physical and psychological problems related to RMDs in HD working women. After one year, participants reporte...

Background:Employed people with musculoskeletal complaints often seek medical advice when symptoms are chronic and lead to loss of workability.Objectives:A brief examination was offered in the workplace setting to detect and to counsel individuals with symptoms of Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases(RMDs).Methods:Employees received a questionnaire regarding musculoskeletal problems. In case of a positive screening, consultation by RMD specialists was offered. If necessary, participants were referred to a clinic specialized in RMDs. Employees’ work was categorized into physically-highly-demanding(HD) and less-demanding(LD).Following data were acquired: demographics, known pre-existing RMD, pain intensity, affected region(s), current treatment, number of sick-leave-days due to musculoskeletal complaints, and out of pocket costs for treatments during the preceding year. General wellbeing and depression were measured by Euroquol-5d. Follow-up information about data mentioned above was collected by telephone-interview.Results:6170 employees were invited. 413 participated in the counselling program, 344 were enrolled in the study. 56.6% of the participants had no previously diagnosed RMD, after the specialists’ assessment, this percentage decreased to 35.7%. Men with LD-workload had significantly higher wellbeing (EQ-5d scale) compared to women with both LD (p=0.034) and HD (p=0.001). LD and HD differed significantly regarding percentage with painful upper (p=0.006) and lower (p=0.016) limbs. Back pain was distributed equally among all groups. HD women reported significantly higher use of NSAIDs (p=0.001).235 individuals participated in telephone follow-up. There was significant improvement in wellbeing(p=0.006) and in rating of RMD pain (p=0.001). Participants who were suspected to suffer from RMDs had significantly increased out of pocket costs after one year (p=0.026). Use of NSAIDs decreased significantly from 29.1 to 17.4% (p=0.02). Rates of use of physiotherapy (p=0.001), gymnastics (p=0.001), physical therapy (p=0.027) and complementary/alternative methods (p=0.003) were significantly increased.Conclusion:We found most physical/psychological problems related to RMDs in HD-working women. After one year, participants reported improved quality of life, reduction of RMD pain, higher utilization of medical services and of gymnastics, less use of NSAIDs, and, if suspected to suffer from RMDs, higher out of pocket costs. Thus, this workplace-centered intervention appears to have beneficial effects on both subjective well-being and physical/physiological health.Disclosure of Interests::Harald Leiss Consultant for: Lilly, MSD, Miriam Hucke Grant/research support from: Abbvie, Veronika Machold-Fabrizii: None declared, Josef S. Smolen Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Janssen, MSD, Pfizer, Roche, Consultant for: AbbVie, Amgen, Astra-Zeneca, Astro, Celgene Corporation, Celtrion, Eli Lilly, Glaxo, ILTOO, Janssen, MedImmune, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Samsun, Sanofi, UDB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Amgen, Ast...