The economic cost and social and psychological impact of musculoskeletal conditions. National Arthritis Data Work Groups.
OBJECTIVE
To provide an indication of the economic, social, and psychological impact of musculoskeletal conditions in the United States.


METHODS
Review of the literature combined with estimates of data concerning health care utilization and acute and chronic disability due to musculoskeletal conditions, from the 1990-1992 National Health Interview Survey.


RESULTS
The cost of musculoskeletal conditions was $149.4 billion in 1992, of which 48% was due to direct medical care costs and the remainder was due to indirect costs resulting from wage losses. This amount translates to approximately 2.5% of the Gross National Product, a sharp rise since the prior studies, even if part of the increase is an artifact of improved accounting methods. Each year, persons with musculoskeletal conditions make 315 million physician visits, have more than 8 million hospital admissions, and experience approximately 1.5 billion days of restricted activity. Approximately 42% of persons with musculoskeletal conditions--more than 17 million in all--are limited in their activities.


CONCLUSIONS
The economic and social costs of musculoskeletal conditions are substantial. These conditions are responsible for a sizable amount of health care use and disability, and they significantly affect the psychological status of the individuals with the conditions as well as their families.
Yelin
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Arthritis Research Group, University of California, San Francisco 94109, USA.
Callahan
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D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology*