Musculoskeletal disabilities among police force personnel of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most common causes of disability in the military population. The objectives of this study were to assess the frequency of musculoskeletal disabilities in police force personnel and to determine the association between disabilities and age, rank, and different job types. The population studied were 2600 Islamic Republic of Iran police force disability cases from March 1997 to March 1998. Ninth revision of International Classification of Diseases was used to indicate diagnoses. The frequency of disabilities related to musculoskeletal disorders was 25.7%. Back disabilities were the most common musculoskeletal problems. Patients with back disabilities were older on average than patients with other musculoskeletal disorders (p < 0.001). Back disabilities were more common in commissioned officers (third lieutenant to colonel) than other police force personnel (p < 0.0001). On the contrary, fractures and dislocations were more common in noncommissioned officers (sergeant to warrant officer) (p < 0.001). There were associations between specific jobs and musculoskeletal disabilities. According to present data, musculoskeletal disorders account for one-quarter of disability cases in police force personnel. Prevention programs, especially in high-risk groups, should be considered.