The reported incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disease in the UK: MOSS 1997-2000

Consultant rheumatologists participate in surveillance of work-related musc uloskeletal conditions under the Musculoskeletal Occupational Surveillance Scheme (MOSS), which has been in operation since 1997. During the first 3 y ears of the scheme, an estimated total of 8070 cases and 8442 diagnoses wer e obtained, an average of slightly less than 2700 estimated cases each year . Disorders of the upper limb accounted for similar to 66% (5502) of the to tal, with hand/wrist/arm conditions (3693 cases) comprising the majority of these. Conditions of the lumbar spine and trunk (13% of cases), the cervic al spine (12%) and the shoulder (12%) were also frequently reported. Pain w ith ill-defined pathology was reported in 35% of cases with hand and forear m disorders. Overall, 82% of cases were related to repetitive rather than s ingle injury. The largest numbers of cases were seen in workers in craft oc cupations (1659) and in clerical and secretarial workers (1524). High rates of musculoskeletal conditions, particularly of upper limb disorders, are n otable in mining. In most occupations, and overall, women were at greater r isk than men.