RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: 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. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain, rheumatic diseases and self-perceived work disability in adults of Cantamayec, Yucatán, Mexico. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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%). CONCLUSIONS: 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.
