title: High burden of musculoskeletal conditions: a problem that has only recently come to recognition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Musculoskeletal conditions have only recently been acknowledged and research on their burden is scarce in the Middle East and North African (MENA) region. For the first time, a population based study was conducted in Lebanon to assess the prevalence, level of disability, and health seeking behaviours related to musculoskeletal pain and rheumatic disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  A random sample of 500 participants aged ≥ 15 years from Southern Lebanon was interviewed using the COPCORD (Community Oriented Program for Control of Rheumatic Diseases) questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of current musculoskeletal pain was 31.2% [CI (27.0-35.2%)]. Being a female [OR=1.8, CI (1.2-2.8)] and of advancing age [OR=1.03, CI (1.01-1.05)] were the only significant factors associated with current musculoskeletal pain. Prevalence of current functional disability was 6.4% [CI (4.2-8.5%)]. Around quarter (26.0%) [CI (22.3-30.1%)] of our sample sought some kind of treatment. The overall prevalence rate of rheumatic disease was 17.0% [CI (13.7-20.3%)].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings indicate that musculoskeletal conditions are common in Lebanon. This is a timely public health issue that needs further investigation and solid recognition by health authorities. Community-based interventions should target patients to prompt them to seek early help in order to prevent the development of musculoskeletal pain into disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: Zeinab N
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Slim
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chaaya
authors.forename: Rima R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Habib
authors.forename: Thurayya
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arayssi
authors.forename: Imad
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Uthman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult