rss
Ann Rheum Dis 2005;64:118-123 doi:10.1136/ard.2003.019349
  • Extended report

Incidence and prevalence of complaints of the neck and upper extremity in general practice

  1. S D M Bot1,
  2. J M van der Waal1,
  3. C B Terwee1,
  4. D A W M van der Windt2,
  5. F G Schellevis3,
  6. L M Bouter1,
  7. J Dekker4
  1. 1Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Centre, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  2. 2Department of General Practice, VU University Medical Centre
  3. 3Netherlands Institute for Health Services Research, Utrecht, Netherlands
  4. 4Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, VU University Medical Centre
  1. Correspondence to:
    Dr Sandra D M Bot
    Institute for Research in Extramural Medicine, VU University Medical Centre, De Boelelaan 1105, 1081 HV Amsterdam, Netherlands; s.botvumc.nl
  • Accepted 9 May 2004

Abstract

Objective: To study the incidence and prevalence of neck and upper extremity musculoskeletal complaints in Dutch general practice.

Methods: Data were obtained from the second Dutch national survey of general practice. In all, 195 general practitioners (GPs) from 104 practices across the Netherlands recorded all contacts with patients during 12 consecutive months. Incidence densities and consultation rates were calculated.

Results: The total number of contacts during the registration period of one year was 1 524 470. The most commonly reported complaint was neck symptoms (incidence 23.1 per 1000 person-years), followed by shoulder symptoms (incidence 19.0 per 1000 person-years). Sixty six GP consultations per 1000 person-years were attributable to a new complaint or new episode of complaint of the neck or upper extremity (incidence density). In all, the GPs were consulted 147 times per 1000 registered persons for complaints of the neck or upper extremity. For most complaints the incidence densities and consultation rates were higher for women than for men.

Conclusions: Neck and upper extremity symptoms are common in Dutch general practice. The GP is consulted approximately seven times each week for a complaint relating to the neck or upper extremity; of these, three are new complaints or new episodes. Attention should be paid to training GPs to deal with neck and upper limb complaints, and to research on the prognosis and treatment of these common complaints in primary care.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.