The CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) study: methods of data collection and characteristics of study sample

Background: The CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) study was established to explore the hypothesis that common musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated disability are importantly influenced by culturally determined health beliefs and expectations. This paper describes the methods of data collection and various characteristics of the study sample.Methods/Principal Findings: standardised questionnaire covering musculoskeletal symptoms, disability and potential risk factors, was used to collect information from 47 samples of nurses, office workers, and other (mostly manual) workers in 18 countries from six continents. In addition, local investigators provided data on economic aspects of employment for each occupational group. Participation exceeded 80% in 33 of the 47 occupational groups, and after pre-specified exclusions, analysis was based on 12,426 subjects (92 to 1018 per occupational group). As expected, there was high usage of computer keyboards by office workers, while nurses had the highest prevalence of heavy manual lifting in all but one country. There was substantial heterogeneity between occupational groups in economic and psychosocial aspects of work; three- to five-fold variation in awareness of someone outside work with musculoskeletal pain; and more than ten-fold variation in the prevalence of adverse health beliefs about back and arm pain, and in awareness of terms such as “repetitive strain injury” (RSI).Conclusions/Significance: the large differences in psychosocial risk factors (including knowledge and beliefs about MSDs) between occupational groups should allow the study hypothesis to be addressed effectivel

The CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) Study: Methods of Data Collection and Characteristics of Study Sample

Background: The CUPID (Cultural and Psychosocial Influences on Disability) study was established to explore the hypothesis that common musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and associated disability are importantly influenced by culturally determined health beliefs and expectations. This paper describes the methods of data collection and various characteristics of the study sample. Methods/Principal Findings: A standardised questionnaire covering musculoskeletal symptoms, disability and potential risk factors, was used to collect information from 47 samples of nurses, office workers, and other (mostly manual) workers in 18 countries from six continents. In addition, local investigators provided data on economic aspects of employment for each occupational group. Participation exceeded 80% in 33 of the 47 occupational groups, and after pre-specified exclusions, analysis was based on 12,426 subjects (92 to 1018 per occupational group). As expected, there was high usage of computer keyboards by office workers, while nurses had the highest prevalence of heavy manual lifting in all but one country. There was substantial heterogeneity between occupational groups in economic and psychosocial aspects of work; three-to fivefold variation in awareness of someone outside work with musculoskeletal pain; and more than ten-fold variation in the prevalence of adverse health beliefs about back and arm pain, and in awareness of terms such as “repetitive strain injury” (RSI). Conclusions/Significance: The large differences in psychosocial risk factors (including knowledge and beliefs about MSDs) between occupational groups should allow the study hypothesis to be addressed effectively

Adverse health beliefs regarding low back and arm pain – prevalence (%) by occupational group.

a<p>Completely agree that such pain is commonly caused by people’s work.</p>b<p>Completely agree that for someone with such pain, a) physical activity should be avoided as it might cause harm, and b) rest is needed to get better.</p>c<p>Completely agree that for someone with such pain, rest is needed to get better, and completely disagree that such problems usually get better within three months.</p

Specification and recruitment of study sample.

<p>Specification and recruitment of study sample.</p

Access to healthcare for musculoskeletal disorders.

<p>Access to healthcare for musculoskeletal disorders.</p

Economic aspects of employment.

<p>Economic aspects of employment.</p

Awareness of repetitive strain injury (RSI) work related upper limb disorder (WRULD) or cumulative trauma syndrome (CTS) – prevalence (%) by occupational group.

<p>Awareness of repetitive strain injury (RSI) work related upper limb disorder (WRULD) or cumulative trauma syndrome (CTS) – prevalence (%) by occupational group.</p

Comparison of UK participants who provided information by interview and by self-administered questionnaire.

<p>Comparison of UK participants who provided information by interview and by self-administered questionnaire.</p

Characteristics of study sample – prevalence (%) by occupational group.

<p>Characteristics of study sample – prevalence (%) by occupational group.</p