Trends in work-related musculoskeletal disorder reports by year, type, and industrial sector: a capture-recapture analysis.
BACKGROUND
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are thought to be declining based on Bureau of Labor Statistics survey data, but there is also evidence of MSD under-reporting, raising the possibility of contrary trends. The magnitude of MSD under-reporting over time, and its industry distribution have not been adequately described.


METHODS
Capture-recapture analysis of 7 years of Connecticut MSD (1995-2001), utilizing Workers' Compensation and physician reporting data was performed.


RESULTS
Only 5.5%-7.9% of MSD cases appear to be reported to Workers Compensation annually. The capture-recapture estimated average annual rate for upper-extremity MSD was 133.1 per 10,000 employed persons, far above BLS rates. By industry, Manufacturing, State Government, and the Finance/Insurance/Real Estate sectors all had significantly higher MSD rates than Wholesale/Retail Trade.


CONCLUSIONS
Upper-extremity MSD appears to be significantly under-reported, and rates are not decreasing over time. Capture-recapture methods provide an improved surveillance method for monitoring temporal trends in injury rates.
Morse
Tim
T
Division of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT 06030-6210, USA. tmorse@nso.uchc.edu
Dillon
C
C
Kenta-Bibi
E
E
Weber
J
J
Diva
U
U
Warren
N
N
Grey
M
M
D000328:Adult; D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007221:Industry / Q000145:classification* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries*; D014942:Workers' Compensation