Objective: To assess longitudinally the impact of new onset musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders on quality of life (QoL). Methods: An inception cohort of 1202 subjects in France aged 45–60 years was determined to be free of MSK problems at baseline. Over 28 months of follow up between 1996 and 1998, 310 were diagnosed with MSK disorders and matched for age and sex with 620 healthy controls. The impact of the MSK disorder onset on QoL was assessed by the change in SF-36 dimension scores over time, using a linear mixed ANOVA model to compare the groups. Results: The incidence of MSK disorder was 13.6% per person-year in the spine, 4.2% per person-year in a joint, and 4.6% per person-year at an extra-articular site. The greatest change in QoL was a 10 point drop in the 100 point SF-36 bodily pain dimension scale in the MSK group. Compared with controls, subjects with an MSK disorder had significantly greater reductions in the following dimensions: bodily pain (a −7.4 point difference in change), vitality (−2.7), general health (−1.8), and physical functioning (−1.3). Within the MSK group, chronic disorders had a greater impact than acute ones on the physical functioning (−2.1), role emotional (−8.4), and social functioning (−5.9) dimensions. Conclusion: New onset MSK disorders have a marked deleterious effect on QoL in the physical domain, with lesser effects on social and mental functioning. This evidence of an early significant impact on their QoL reinforces recent recommendations for early treatment and primary prevention.

Investigations focusing and implementing on the impact of cancer on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by the way of a mean comparison between cancer patients and subjects from the general population, are scarce and usually cross-sectional. Longitudinal application of HRQoL instruments to a general, initially healthy population allows for change to be assessed as an event occurs, rather than afterwards. The objective of the present study was to investigate the impact of new cancer on HRQoL. The 36-item Short Form (SF-36) and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) were applied to the French SU.VI.MAX cohort in 1996 and 1998. A controlled longitudinal study was used to determine the impact on HRQoL of newly diagnosed cancer: 84 patients with cancer that occurred between the 2 HRQoL measures were compared with 420 age- and sex-matched cancer-free controls. Initial HRQoL level was similar in the two groups. A new cancer had a particularly marked effect on the SF-36 Physical functioning, Role-physical and General health dimensions (more than 6.6-point difference in change in HRQoL evolution on a 0–100 scale). The Bodily pain and Vitality dimensions were less severely affected (difference in change varying from 4.4 to 6.3 points), and there was no effect on either the GHQ-12 score or the SF-36 Mental health, Role-emotional and Social functioning dimensions. The negative impact of cancer on the lives of patients was assessed in terms of HRQoL. The aspects most likely to be affected were those with a physical component, and general health perceptions. These results can thus help quantify the impact of a new cancer on HRQoL evolution and potentially facilitate early intervention by identifying the most affected HRQoL domains.

Objectives This study aimed to determine the effect of occupational safety and health (OSH) education during formal schooling on the incidence of workplace injuries (WIs) in young people starting their careers. We hypothesised that young people who had received OSH education during their schooling would have fewer WIs than those who received no OSH education. Secondary objectives focused on the effect of ‘first aid at work’ training during schooling and the conditions encountered on arrival in the company (occupational hazard information, safety training and job task training) on WI occurrence. Design Prospective cohort study. Participants From 2009 to 2012, French apprentices and students at the end of their schooling and starting their careers were included. Outcomes Occurrence of WIs. Methods At the time of inclusion, information about school courses and personal characteristics were collected, and subsequent half-yearly contacts gathered information relating to work and personal data. During the 2-year follow-up, WIs were directly reported by participants and were identified by searching the French National Health Insurance Funds’ databases listing compulsory WI declarations. Results 755 participants reported holding 1290 jobs. During follow-up, 158 WIs were identified, corresponding to an incident rate of 0.12 (0.10 to 0.14) WIs per full-time worker. Subjects who reported having received OSH education at school had two times less WIs than those declaring not having received OSH education (incidence rate ratio (IRR) 0.51, 0.00 to 0.98). A lower WI risk was observed for participants who received the ‘first aid at work’ training (IRR=0.68, 0.00 to 0.98). The conditions on arrival in company were not associated with WIs occurrence. Conclusion In France, the OSH education provided to apprentices and students is mostly broader than the specific risks related to future jobs. Our results highlight the advantages of reinforcing this approach.