[Rheumatic diseases and labor disability in adult rural population]

The prevalence and the functional impact of the musculoskeletal diseases seem to have geographical variability. There is no previous report about those issues for the southern part of Mexico.

To assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, rheumatic diseases and self-perceived work disability in adults of Cantamayec, Yucatán, Mexico.

We assessed the presence of musculoskeletal pain, and those who answered affirmatively underwent a clinical evaluation. Diagnostic criteria for rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, gout and soft-tissue pain syndromes were used.

Musculoskeletal pain was found in 197/761 (25.8%), a defined rheumatic disease was diagnosed in 156 (20.4%) subjects. The prevalence of soft-tissue pain syndromes was 6.1%; followed by osteoarthritis, 5.8%; rheumatoid arthritis, 4.7%; back pain, 1.8%; fibromyalgia, 1.3%; and gout, 0.7%; self-perceived work disability was found in 144 (18.9%); it was ranked as total by 65 (8.5%) and partial by 79 (10.4%).

Musculoskeletal pain, rheumatic diseases and self-perceived work disability were highly prevalent. Although rheumatoid arthritis prevalence was higher, the prevalence of other rheumatic diseases, musculoskeletal pain, and self-perceived work disability were similar to those previously reported in other countries and regions of Mexico.