Epidemiological evaluation of the socioeconomic status as associated factor with the occurrence of musculoskeletal diseases

Abstract

Objective: Musculoskeletal diseases are included as priorities among Public Health topics, particularly in Worker's Health, because of the high incidence and multiple factors that are associated with their occurrence. The purpose of this study is to assess the association between social and economic status of occupations, consolidated in the form of the socio-economic index of occupational status (ISEI) and the occurrence of musculoskeletal diseases.

Methods: The population studied included 157,676 workers of both genders, with ages ranging from 18 to 65, included in the Brazilian National Household Survey (PNAD - "Pesquisa Nacional de Amostra de Domicílios") carried out in 2003. The types of occupations were classified using the Socio-Economic Index (ISEI), as proposed by Ganzeboom and Treiman (1996). Prevalence rates for self-referred pathologies such as tendinitis/tenosynovitis and back pain (low back pain) in large occupational groups and in speci fic occupations were calculated. Study variables were applied to a linear regression model with 95% confidence intervals calculated in conformity with the ISEI quintiles.

Results: The highest socio-economic status presented the higher odds ratio for tendinitis or tenosynovitis (OR 2.93; 2.66-3.22), while the lowest status presented the highest odds ratio for spine or back problems (OR 1.31; 1.26-1.37), even when corrected by confounding variables, such as age, gender and educational status.

Conclusion: This result suggests that this indicator is an important factor for the occurrence of Musculoskeletal Diseases.