High incidence and recurrence of shoulder and neck pain in nursing home employees was demonstrated during a 2-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
This study describes the course of shoulder and neck complaints in a working population over time.


METHODS
Questionnaires were administered on neck and shoulder complaints over 3 consecutive years.


RESULTS
We observed 12-month incidence rates for neck and shoulder complaints of 16% to 18%, 12-month prevalence rates roughly twice as high, and 12-month recurrence rates approximately twice the prevalence rates. Each year, medical care was sought by 21% to 38% of the subjects with neck or shoulder pain, and 13% to 21% were absent from work. Although at the population level the occurrence of neck and shoulder complaints remained constant, the course of complaints within individuals demonstrated a strong episodic nature of neck and shoulder pain. Results from this study suggest that neck and shoulder complaints for most subjects run a recurrent course characterized by a strong variation in occurrence and a self-limiting course.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that clinical trials should have a sufficiently long follow-up period to demonstrate sustainability of the therapeutic results.
Luime
Jolanda J
JJ
Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center Rotterdam, The Netherlands. a.burdorf@Erasmusmc.nl
Koes
Bart W
BW
Miedem
Harald S
HS
Verhaar
Jan A N
JA
Burdorf
Alex
A
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D019547:Neck Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D009735:Nursing Homes; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D020069:Shoulder Pain / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology