Impact of musculoskeletal impairments on symptoms and health-related quality of life of considered healthy people

• Autor(a) principal: André, Pedro Manuel Bagorro
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Tipo de documento: Dissertação
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: http://hdl.handle.net/10773/35994
• topic: Musculoskeletal; Impairments; Quality of life; Anxiety; Depression

Musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders are among the main causes of physical impairment and may also lead to a significant decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQoL). People with MSK disorders are also more likely to suffer with other mental or physical heath difficulties that might result in chronic pain. This study aims to explore differences in health-related QoL, and depressive and anxiety symptoms, in considered healthy people with and without musculoskeletal impairments. Was conducted a cross-sectional study, after approval from an Ethics committee. Sociodemographic characteristics were obtained through patient interview. Anthropometrics were obtained through the following measurements: weight, height and BMI. Clinical variables such as medication and co-morbidities were recorded using a structured questionnaire to characterise the sample. Then, the instruments The Portuguese version of The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF), and the hospital anxiety and depression scale (HADS), were applied. Most of the participants were between 40 and 74 years old, more male than female, had the primary or secondary education level completed, was married, and overweight. The most frequent pathologies were arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia and osteoarthritis. An association between sociodemographic, anthropometric and clinical characteristics and the presence or absence of MSK impairments was found. Participants with MSK impairments present significant lower QoL in the physical health and psychological domains, and more symptoms of anxiety and depression than those without MSK impairments. The present research enriches the literature on the link between mental health and QoL and the presence of a particular physical chronic disorder, such as MSK impairments. While life expectancy has risen, many people are now living longer in poorer health conditions. Since MSK conditions can affect people across the life course, prevention, early detection, and treatment is essential to enable people to live in good health, remain independent and connected in their communities. There are also economic advantages for society, such as reducing the pressure on health and social care services and reducing costs because of people being unable to work.