[Assessment of musculoskeletal disorders using a questionnaire]

The standardized illustrated questionnaire on musculoskeletal disorders of the Japanese Committee on Occupational Cervico-branchial Disorders was translated into German. This questionnaire, composed of 37 items about the occurrence (never/seldom, occasionally, almost daily) of symptoms (pain, stiffness, fatigue) in twelve body regions, was used together with medical examinations (pressure points), and further information was gathered on the consumption of analgetics and medical visits prompted by musculoskeletal symptoms. The questionnaire's reliability and validity were tested in 644 persons from twelve occupational groups within the service sector. Factor analysis showed that symptoms can be grouped into four distinct regions of occurrence: neck/shoulder/area, back/low back, and both left and right upper extremities. Indices based on these regions are consistent (Cronbach alpha approximately 0.8). Palpation findings steadily increase with increasing index values. The consumption of medicaments and medical visits positively correlate with the indices. Consequently the questionnaire is judged to be a valid instrument for studying musculoskeletal disorders at the workplace.