Ageing, musculoskeletal health and work

Abstract

Changing demographics mean that many patients with soft tissue rheumatism, osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, large joint prostheses and age-related co-morbidities are seeking to work beyond the traditional retirement age. In this chapter, we review the evidence on musculoskeletal health and work at older ages. We conclude that musculoskeletal problems are common in older workers and have a substantial impact on their work capacity. Factors that influence their job retention are described, together with approaches that may extend working life. Many gaps in evidence were found, notably on the health risks and benefits of continued work in affected patients and on which interventions work best. The roles of physicians and managers are also considered.

Keywords: Job loss; Musculoskeletal disorder; Older worker; Sickness absence.

Figure 1. The one-month prevalence of disabling low back and wrist/hand pain by occupational group and country in workers aged 40-59 years from the CUPD study (adapted from ref 11)

Brazil = BR, Ecuador = EC, Colombia = CO, Costa Rica = CR, Nicaragua = NI, United Kingdom = UK, Spain = SP, Italy = IT, Greece = GR, Estonia = EE, Lebanon = LB, Iran = IR, Pakistan = PK, Sri Lanka = LK, Japan = JP, South Africa = SA, Australia = AU, New Zealand = NZ

Figure 2. Proportion (%) of men in the Dutch population in full-time employment, by age and health status: men with ankylosing spondylitis vs. all men (adapted from Boonen et al [53])