Capture–recapture estimation of unreported work‐related musculoskeletal disorders in Connecticut
- 25 May 2001
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in American Journal of Industrial Medicine
- Vol. 39 (6), 636-642
- https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.1063
Abstract
Background Estimates of the extent of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are usually based upon workers' compensation reports, although recent reports indicate that there may be widespread under‐reporting of MSD. Methods An estimate of the incidence of arm and hand work‐related MSD was made using capture–recapture analysis of the overlap between state workers' compensation reports and physician reports in Connecticut for 1995. The resulting estimate was compared to a population‐based survey of MSD. Results There was very small overlap between the two state injury reporting systems: 6.7% of 793 reported workers' compensation cases, or 8% of 661 physician's reports. The estimate for MSD not captured by either system was 13,285, resulting in 14,686 (95% CI: 9,733–18,453) total reported and non‐reported cases. This compares to an estimate of 13,775 cases (95% CI: 8,800–18,800) based on a phone survey. Conclusions This analysis points to substantial under‐reporting of MSD in Connecticut: estimates of unreported cases exceed those officially reported by a factor of 11:1. The findings have an important bearing on injury prevention programs and policy making. Am. J. Ind. Med. 39:636–642, 2001.Keywords
This publication has 31 references indexed in Scilit:
- Biomechanical, psychosocial, and organizational risk factors for WRMSD: Population-based estimates from the Connecticut Upper-extremity Surveillance Project (CUSP).Journal of Occupational Health Psychology, 2000
- Usefulness of North Carolina Workers' Compensation Data for Surveillance of Cumulative Trauma DisordersApplied Occupational and Environmental Hygiene, 1996
- Recent Trends in Work-Related Cumulative Trauma Disorders of the Upper Extremities in the United States: An Evaluation of Possible ReasonsJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 1996
- Surveillance and prevention of work‐related carpal tunnel syndrome: An application of the sentinel events notification system for occupational risksAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1995
- Use of state workers' compensation data for occupational carpal tunnel syndrome surveillance: A feasibility study in massachusettsAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1994
- Estimates of the extent of morbidity and mortality due to occupational diseases in CanadaAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1994
- An epidemiologic study of carpal tunnel syndrome and hand-arm vibration syndrome in relation to vibration exposureThe Journal of Hand Surgery, 1994
- Use of provincial health insurance plan billing data to estimate carpal tunnel syndrome morbidity and surgery ratesAmerican Journal of Industrial Medicine, 1992
- Use of Workersʼ Compensation Claims Data for Surveillance of Cumulative Trauma DisordersJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 1988
- A Comparison of Household and Provider Reports of Medical ConditionsJournal of the American Statistical Association, 1987