Can we reduce the burden of musculoskeletal conditions? The European action towards better musculoskeletal health.

摘要

Musculoskeletal conditions are common and their impact is pervasive. They are the most common cause of severe long-term pain and physical disability. They significantly affect the psychosocial status of those individuals with the condition as well as their families and carers. They are a major burden on health and social care. In Europe 20-30% of adults are affected at any one time by musculoskeletal pain. The WHO Global Burden of Disease Monitoring Programme has identified osteoarthri-tis (OA) as one of the top 10 causes of disability for countries within the EU and back pain as a major cause of work incapacity. Using disability adjusted life years (DALYs), OA is the fourth most frequently predicted cause of problems worldwide in women and the eighth in men. There is a 40% lifetime risk of fracture for women over 50 years in Europe and the burden of osteoporosis is increasing with increased life expectancy. Two out of every five people with a musculoskeletal problem are limited in their everyday activities.8 Musculoskeletal conditions, excluding trauma, represent almost 25% of the total cost of illness in European countries. Musculoskeletal conditions are the second most common reason for consulting a doctor and, in most countries, constitute up to 10-20% of primary care practice. One in five of all Europeans are under long-term treatment for rheumatism and arthritis. They are the commonest cause of health problems limiting work and up to 60% of people in early retirement or on long-term sick leave claim musculoskeletal problem as the reason.