Prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations in the adult Brazilian population: a study using COPCORD questionnaires

Abstract

ObjectiveTo estimate the prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations in the population of Vitoria, Brazil, using the COPCORD questionnaire.MethodsThis was a cross-sectional study of 578 people with an age range of 18-65. The sample was probabilistic and stratified according to sex, age and socio-economic class, proportional to the 2000 demographic census data of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics - IBGE. The COPCORD core questionnaire was used for all subjects, and a rheumatologist evaluated those patients who presented pain and/or functional disability. Laboratory tests and radiographs were carried out in some patients to confirm the diagnosis.ResultsOne hundred and seventy-six patients (30.4%) with a mean age of 41 (SD 13) and predominantly female had pain. Among the patients with pain, 23.2% were unable to do daily living activities. One hundred and thirty (73.9%) were evaluated by a rheumatologist.ConclusionThe prevalence of musculoskeletal manifestations evaluated by the COPCORD questionnaire was 30.4%.