Labor force activity among Australians with musculoskeletal disorders comorbid with depression and anxiety disorders.
OBJECTIVE
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are a leading cause of work-related disability. This investigation explored the impact of MSD comorbid with depression and anxiety disorders, on labor force activity.


METHODS
The Australian Bureau of Statistics provided confidentialized data files collected from a household sample of 37,580 people. MSD, affective, and anxiety disorders were identified and employment restrictions were assessed at four levels of severity.


RESULTS
Anxiety and depression of six months duration was present in 12.1% of people with MSD. Comorbidity magnified the negative impacts of single conditions on labor force activity. Most at risk were people with back problems and comorbid depression, people with arthritis or other MSD and comorbid anxiety, males with MSD and comorbid depression, and females with MSD and comorbid anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that the occupational rehabilitation needs of people with MSD comorbid with depression or anxiety may currently be underestimated.
Waghorn
Geoff
G
The Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research and the School of Population Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia. geoff_waghorn@qcmhr.uq.edu.au
Chant
David
D
Lloyd
Chris
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors