Article

Trends in work-related musculoskeletal disorder reports by year, type, and industrial sector: A capture-recapture analysis†‡

  1. Tim Morse PhD1,*,
  2. C. Dillon MD, PhD, MPH2,
  3. E. Kenta-Bibi MD, MPH1,
  4. J. Weber3,
  5. U. Diva1,
  6. N. Warren ScD, MAT1,
  7. M. Grey MD, MPH1

Article first published online: 6 JUN 2005

DOI: 10.1002/ajim.20182

Issue

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

American Journal of Industrial Medicine

Volume 48, Issue 1, pages 40–49, July 2005

Additional Information

How to Cite

Morse, T., Dillon, C., Kenta-Bibi, E., Weber, J., Diva, U., Warren, N. and Grey, M. (2005), Trends in work-related musculoskeletal disorder reports by year, type, and industrial sector: A capture-recapture analysis. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 48: 40–49. doi: 10.1002/ajim.20182

Author Information

  1. 1

    Division of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut

  2. 2

    U.S. National Center for Health Statistics, Hyattsville, Maryland

  3. 3

    Connecticut State Department of Labor and Industry, Farmington, Connecticut

*Division of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030-6210.

  1. †

    Dr. Charles Dillon authored this study in his private capacity.

  2. ‡

    No official support of endorsement by the CDC or the federal government is intended or should be inferred.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 6 JUN 2005
  2. Article first published online: 6 JUN 2005
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 14 APR 2005

Funded by

  • NIOSH. Grant Number: RO1 CCR112118-03

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Keywords:

  • cumulative trauma disorders;
  • epidemiology;
  • prevalence;
  • workers' compensation;
  • MSD;
  • under-reporting

Abstract

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are thought to be declining based on Bureau of Labor Statistics survey data, but there is also evidence of MSD under-reporting, raising the possibility of contrary trends. The magnitude of MSD under-reporting over time, and its industry distribution have not been adequately described.

Methods

Capture-recapture analysis of 7 years of Connecticut MSD (1995–2001), utilizing Workers' Compensation and physician reporting data was performed.

Results

Only 5.5%–7.9% of MSD cases appear to be reported to Workers Compensation annually. The capture-recapture estimated average annual rate for upper-extremity MSD was 133.1 per 10,000 employed persons, far above BLS rates. By industry, Manufacturing, State Government, and the Finance/Insurance/Real Estate sectors all had significantly higher MSD rates than Wholesale/Retail Trade.

Conclusions

Upper-extremity MSD appears to be significantly under-reported, and rates are not decreasing over time. Capture-recapture methods provide an improved surveillance method for monitoring temporal trends in injury rates. Am. J. Ind. Med. 48:40–49, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

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