MUSCULOSKELETAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE - 8 SIMPLE, SELF-ADMINISTERED TESTS TO ADD TO SYMPTOM REGISTRATION - A PRELIMINARY-REPORT

Study Design. A population-based evaluation including cross-sectional comparisons of eight simple function tests (mobility and strength) and answers on questions concerning lifestyle factors, work environment, and health. The study population was randomly selected among people 35 -45 years old. Objectives. To construct a simple, self-administered su rveillance system to test musculoskeletal function to be mailed to a s ample population along with a questionnaire. Summary of Background Dat a. A surveillance system should be easy to use, detect treatable sympt oms at an early stage, and detect change of function or symptoms. Meth od. Questionnaires, which also contained instructions in performing th e eight tests of musculoskeletal function, were sent to a randomly sel ected sample population. The questionnaire covered type and level of m usculoskeletal problems, and lifestyle and occupational factors. Resul ts. The questionnaire and the self-administered test were completed by 834 people. The test movements could be performed and the questions a nswered by the study population. The tests discriminated between those with and without moderate or severe problems. Performance of physical ly heavy work did not significantly correlate with the test results. T he results of the physical function test discriminated significantly b etween those with different levels of fear of movement (odds ratio, 2. 2) and the degree of current somatic distress (odds ration, 5.9). Conc lusion. The test of physical function could be performed and the quest ionnaire completed by this randomly selected cohort, and the results d iscriminated significantly between groups.