Persistence of musculoskeletal symptoms: a longitudinal study

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine whether or not symptoms from the musculoskeletal system disappear after retirement. The prevalence of symptoms among retired shipyard workers was compared with the prevalence among active manual workers and office workers, respectively. The study was based on 352 males, born between 1920 and 1935, who participated in health check-ups in 1982. Of the original group, 327 men were available for a second interview in 1985, of whom 85 manual workers and 38 office workers were laid off on a pension. Retired manual workers had about the same prevalence of symptoms in 1982 and 1985, indicating that musculoskeletal symptoms attributable to heavy physical workload do not disappear within a time period of about three years. Active manual workers developed more symptoms between 1982 and 1985. Retired and active office workers had about the same prevalence of symptoms in 1982 and 1985.