[COMMUNITY: project proposal for a multicenter study on musculoskeletal comorbidity among nursing staff]

While a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) has been registered among nurses, little is known on the prevalence of musculoskeletal comorbidities and their effect on the natural history of spinal diseases. Here we present a project called COMMUNITY (COMorbidities of MUsculoskeletal disorders among Nurse in ITalY) which is aimed at: 1) studying the prevalence of musculoskeletal comorbidities; 2) investigating the aetiology of MSDs; 3) investigating the aetiology of lumbar or cervical disk herniation; 4) evaluate the natural history of spinal disk herniation and its effect on work ability.

COMMUNITY will be a multicentric study conducted in participating Italian hospitals and articulated in 3 phases. Phase 0 will be a preliminary cross-sectional study conducted in one hospital and aimed at collecting basic information for further studies. Phase 1 will be a multicentric cross-section study enrolling a sample of nursing population. A self-administered questionnaire will be used to collect data concerning exposures and MSDs. The nurses studied during Phase 1 will be followed up in a cohort study (Phase 2). The follow-up will be based on at least 2 questionnaire administrations (at 2 and 4 years) and the use of data collected during health surveillance.

COMMUNITY is aimed at increasing knowledge in a field of occupational medicine that is still largely uncovered. Phase 0 will provide the essential information necessary to prepare the protocol for the subsequent phases.