Impact of musculoskeletal and medical conditions on disability retirement-a longitudinal study among construction roofers.
BACKGROUND
To assess the intersection of work demands, chronic medical and musculoskeletal conditions, aging, and disability, we initiated a longitudinal study of construction roofers who were current union members between the ages of 40 and 59.


METHODS
Participants were asked about the presence of medical conditions and musculoskeletal disorders; the Work Limitations Questionnaire, the SF-12, and other validated assessments of social and economic impact of injury were included.


RESULTS
Factors at baseline that predicted leaving for a health-related reason were older age, lower physical functioning, work limitations, and having missed work. Those who left roofing for a health-related reason were much more likely to have a lower economic score at the 1 year interview.


CONCLUSIONS
Medical and musculoskeletal conditions are strongly associated with work limitation, missed work, and reduced physical functioning; these factors are also associated with premature departure from the workforce.
Welch
Laura S
LS
CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training, Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. lwelch@cpwr.com <lwelch@cpwr.com>
Haile
Elizabeth
E
Boden
Leslie I
LI
Hunting
Katherine L
KL
D000328:Adult; D000375:Aging; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D017116:Low Back Pain / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016272:Occupational Health; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012179:Retirement; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology