title: Classification criteria and severity assessment in work-associated upper extremity disorders: methods matter.
abstract: Work-associated musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremity are common and disabling. Research on these disorders is needed and requires valid methods of classification of the disorders for epidemiologic studies and measurement of their impact on functional status. This commentary discusses the methodologic aspects of classification and functional status assessment in upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Robert Brigham Multipurpose Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases Center, Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Stock
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Evanoff
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rempel
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franzblau
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Gray
mesh_terms: D002965:Classification / Q000379:methods; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000145:classification*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index