Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2006 Jun;16(2):241-52.
doi: 10.1007/s10926-006-9018-3.

Labor force activity among Australians with musculoskeletal disorders comorbid with depression and anxiety disorders

Geoff Waghorn  1 , David Chant, Chris Lloyd
Affiliations

Labor force activity among Australians with musculoskeletal disorders comorbid with depression and anxiety disorders

Geoff Waghorn et al. J Occup Rehabil. 2006 Jun.

Abstract

Aim: 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.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Health Serv Res. 2002 Oct;37(5):1145-58 - PubMed
    1. Am J Ind Med. 2001 Dec;40(6):627-38 - PubMed
    1. J Occup Rehabil. 2005 Dec;15(4):475-89 - PubMed
    1. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2001 Apr;(385):23-35 - PubMed
    1. Pain. 2003 Mar;102(1-2):51-61 - PubMed