The public neglect of rheumatic diseases: insights from analyses of attendees in a musculoskeletal disease awareness activity.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To obtain data on the care received by individuals counselled during a public health awareness campaign on painful musculoskeletal conditions (MSC).

Methods

Easy non-formal access to rheumatologists/pain specialists was offered using a mobile unit (Rheuma-Bus) at widely accessible sites. Clients were asked to assess their severity of pain using a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS). Age, gender, disease duration, diagnosis if known, current and previous treatment as well as tentative diagnoses assigned and recommendations given to each individual by the counselling physicians were recorded.

Results

Average (SD) VAS pain rating was 59 (20.6) mm. Approximately 40% of clients had never consulted a physician for their condition before, but had lower pain scores

SUBMITTER: Machold KP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1954619 | biostudies-literature | 2007 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature