Characteristics of Disability Recuperation Musculoskeletal Diseases at a Ship-Yard

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to analyze the length of work-related musculoskeletal disability and to identify the various related factors of disability duration. METHOD: Approved cases work-related musculoskeletal disease between Jan 1, 2000 and Jan 6, 2004 were collected by using the workers' compensation company's database and questionnaire. The cases were comprised of 16 more frequent musculoskeletal diseases. 551 approved musculoskeletal disease cases were composed of 295 recuperated cases and 256 recuperating cases. RESULTS: The average length of work-related musculoskele- tal disability were 420.3+/-246.2 day in the recuperated group and 428.0+/-328.9 day in the recuperating group. The mean disability length of musculoskeletal diseases were over one year with similar distribution except for ganglion. The length of disability were not affected by age, employment duration, type and number of co-mobidity, time from claim receipt to allowance, type of treatment. But, operation history and accident type were affected to the length of disability. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that the length of work- related musculoskeletal disability was not determined by biomedical disease related factors, however, it determined by social and social insurance systemic factors.