Transitions in employment, morbidity, and disability among persons ages 51-61 with musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal conditions in the US, 1992-1994

Objective. To provide estimates of the prevalence of musculoskeletal condit ions in a sample of persons ages 51-61 living in the community in the US in 1992, to indicate the incidence of such conditions between 1992 and 1994, and to describe the proportion of individuals with these conditions who dev eloped or recovered from disability and who left and entered employment dur ing this time. Methods. The estimates were derived from the Health and Retirement Survey, consisting of data on a national probability sample of 8,739 persons, ages 51-61, who were interviewed in the community in 1992 and reinterviewed in 1 994. Results. In 1992, 62.4% of persons (14.4 million) between the ages of 51 an d 61 years reported at least 1 musculoskeletal condition; the rate increase d to 70.5% by 1994. More than 40% of persons with musculoskeletal condition s reported disability, which was almost 90% of all persons with disability in this age group. Persons with musculoskeletal conditions had lower employ ment rates, were less likely to enter employment, and were more likely to l eave employment compared with persons without these conditions. High rates of disability account for much of these differences. Conclusion. Musculoskeletal conditions affected more than two-thirds of per sons ages 51-61 and accounted for all but 10% of those with disabilities. T he prevention of disability among such persons should improve their employm ent prospects.