[The FECYT seal of quality, a recognition and a stimulus for Archivos]. / El sello de calidad FECYT, un reconocimiento y un estímulo para Archivos.

Un año más, mediante esta nota editorial, damos cuenta de las estadísticas y los principales avances de nuestra revista. En cuanto a las estadísticas editoriales, que se detallan en los apartados posteriores, podemos afirmar que son las de una revista consolidada: flujo nutrido y constante de trabajos recibidos/publicados, tasas de aceptación y rechazo proporcionadas, tiempos de gestión razonables y diversidad en las autorías. El logro más destacable del 2023 fue superar con éxito el proceso de evaluación de la Octava edición de Evaluación de la calidad editorial y científica de las revistas científicas españolas, comúnmente conocido como 'Sello FECYT'….

El sello de calidad FECYT, un reconocimiento y un estímulo para Archivos / The FECYT seal of quality, a recognition and a stimulus for Archivos

Un año más, mediante esta nota editorial, damos cuenta de los principales avan-ces de nuestra revista y las estadísticas editoriales.En cuanto a las estadísticas editoriales, que se detallan en los apartados poste-riores, podemos afirmar que son las de una revista consolidada: flujo nutrido y constante de trabajos recibidos/publicados, tasas de aceptación y rechazo pro-porcionadas, tiempos de gestión razonables y diversidad en las autorías.El logro más destacable del 2023 fue superar con éxito el proceso de evaluación de la Octava edición de Evaluación de la calidad editorial y científica de las revistas científicas españolas, comúnmente conocido como ‘Sello FECYT’.El Sello de Calidad FECYT (Figura 1) identifica a aquellas publicaciones científicas que cumplen unos requisitos de profesionalización internacionalmente reconoci-dos. Gracias a este distintivo, muchas revistas científicas se han posicionado de manera importante en el ámbito nacional e internacional Este reconocimiento lo otorga la FECYT por un periodo de un año desde la resolu-ción definitiva, y la evaluación para su renovación se realizará de oficio por parte de la Fundación una vez finalizado dicho periodo (AU)

Dealing with the unknown: perceptions, fears and worries of SARS-CoV-2 infection among hospital workers.

OBJECTIVE: This study explores fears and worries regarding SARS-CoV-2 risk of infection and transmission to relatives, co-workers, and patients in relation to non-pharmacological preventive interventions among healthcare workers (including physicians, nurses, aides, cleaners, maintenance, and security staff) in a healthcare institution in Barcelona (Spain), during the first and second waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. METHOD: The research used an explorative qualitative approach. Six focus groups and ten individual interviews were conducted online and audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis and mixed coding. RESULTS: Forty professionals participated in the study. Four common themes emerged in all groups: challenges related to the lack of pandemic preparedness, concerns about personal protective equipment, unclear guidelines for case and contact tracing, and communication-related difficulties. CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes the key recommendations to improve non-pharmacological preventive interventions to reduce workers' fears and worries about the risk of infection and spreading the infection to others, including families. Above all, these should include ensuring the availability, and correct use of adequate personal protective equipment, improve guidelines on case and contact tracing, and setting effective communication channels for all workers of the organization. These recommendations must be reinforced in maintenance and security personnel, as well as night shift nurses and aides, to also reduce health inequalities.

[COVID-19: it's time for its full recognition as an occupational disease]. / COVID-19, es el momento de su reconocimiento pleno como enfermedad profesional.

In a context of transition towards the end of the pandemic, we think it is time to recognize COVID-19 as an occupational disease. The steps taken to recognize it as a work accident in health workers represent progress, but it is not enough. It is a step that the European Commission has recently recommended, including it on the European list of occupational diseases, in all those activities with a clear risk of contagious. This would imply objective advantages for workers and companies.

En un contexto de transición hacia el final de la pandemia, pensamos que es el momento o de reconocer como enfermedad profesional la COVID-19. Los pasos dados de reconocimiento como accidente de trabajo en sanitarios representan un avance, pero es insuficiente. Es un paso que ya ha recomendado recientemente la Comisión europea, para incluirla con el listado europeo de enfermedades profesionales, en todas aquellas actividades con un riesgo de infección demostrado. Esto supondría ventajas objetivas para las personas trabajadoras y las empresas.

Workplace aggression against healthcare workers in a Spanish healthcare institution between 2019 and 2021: The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Describe the incidence of first aggressions among healthcare workers (HCWs) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in a Spanish healthcare institution, according to workers' socio-occupational characteristics and analyze the impact of the pandemic on it. Methods: A cohort involving HCWs who worked in the institution for at least 1 week each year from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021. Adjusted relative risks (aRR) were estimated using generalized estimating equations and negative binomial models to calculate the differences in WPA between the different time periods. All analyses were stratified by gender. Results: Among women, the incidence was 6.8% (6.0; 7.8) during the pre-COVID-19 period, 6.0% (5.2; 7.0) during the COVID-19 baseline and 5.1% (4.3; 5.9) during the COVID-19 endline; and 4.6% (3.4; 6.1), 5.3% (4.1; 6.8) and 4.4% (3.5; 5.8), respectively, among men. Among men, the incidence of WPA was 4.6 (3.4; 6.1), 5.3 (4.1; 6.8), and 4.4% (3.5; 5.8), respectively. These incidences were significantly higher among male nurses and aides [11.1 (8.0; 15.4), 12.3 (8.9; 16.6), and 9.3% (6.5; 13.3) during each period] and psychiatric center workers [women: 14.7 (11.2; 19.0), 15.4 (11.8; 19.8), and 12.4% (9.2; 16.6); men: 12.3 (7.2; 20.0), 17.8 (11.6; 26.2), and 14.3% (8.8; 22.4)]. Among women, the risk of WPA was 23% lower in the post-COVID-19 period compared to before the pandemic [aRR = 0.77 (0.64; 0.93)], while the risk during the COVID-19 baseline was not significantly different [aRR = 0.89 (0.74; 1.06)]. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic led to an unexpected decrease in first-time WPA against HCWs. However, ~5% of HCWs experienced at least one incidence of aggression in the last follow-up year. Healthcare managers should continue to increase the prevention of aggression against HCWs, especially among vulnerable groups with a higher level of incidence.

[Archivos, positioned on the road to impact]. / Archivos, posicionada en la senda del impacto.

Con este bagaje, comenzamos 2023, un año en el que nuestra revista cumple un cuarto de siglo llevando a cabo la misión para la que fue concebida, misión que los distintos comités editoriales que hemos participado consideramos un acierto: contribuir a la transferencia de conocimiento útil para avanzar en la mejora de la salud de las personas trabajadoras.

[Economic cost estimation of a sample of occupational disease cases accepted by the National Institute of Social Security and evaluated at Parc de Salut Mar, 2014-2021]. / Estimación económica de una muestra de casos de enfermedad profesional confirmados por el Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social atendidos en el Parc de Salut Mar, 2014-2021.

Underreporting of occupational diseases (OD) is a social and economic problem, because it has negative consequences for both the welfare of the affected workers and its impact on budgetary planning for the management of health services. We evaluated the healthcare costs of a sample of 13 cases of OD treated at a public hospital in Barcelona between 2014 and 2021, and officially accepted by the National Institute of Social Security (INSS). The total cost of care was €474,859, with an average cost of €36,528 per patient. By diagnostic group, the highest costs were associated with cancer cases, accounting for 79% of the total (€375,068). The findings of this study reflect the economic impact of health care provided by a public hospital to patients with an OD recognized by the INSS.

La infranotificación de enfermedades profesionales (EEPP) es un problema social y económico, pues repercute en el bienestar del trabajador afectado, y en las estimaciones presupuestarias que se planifican anualmente para la gestión de los servicios sanitarios. Los costes asistenciales fueron evaluados en una muestra de 13 casos de EEPP con resolución positiva por el Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social atendidos en el Parc de Salut Mar (Barcelona) entre 2014 y 2021. El coste de la asistencia generada del total de casos fue de 474.859 €, con un coste medio de 36.528 € por paciente. Por grupo diagnóstico, el coste más alto lo originaron los casos de cánceres que supusieron el 79% del gasto total (375.068 €). Los hallazgos del estudio reflejan el impacto económico que supone la asistencia sanitaria prestada por un hospital público a pacientes con una EEPP reconocida en el INSS.

Archivos, posicionada en la senda del impacto / Archivos, positioned on the road to impact

Con este bagaje, comenzamos 2023, un año en el que nuestra revista cumple un cuarto de siglo llevando a cabo la misión para la que fue concebida, misión que los distintos comités editoriales que hemos participado consideramos un acierto: contribuir a la transferencia de conocimiento útil para avanzar en la mejora de la salud de las personas trabajadoras (AU)

Estimación económica de una muestra de casos de enfermedad profesional confirmados por el Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social atendidos en el Parc de Salut Mar, 2014-2021 / Economic cost estimation of a sample of occupational disease cases accepted by the National Institute of Social Security and evaluated at Parc de Salut Mar, 2014-2021

La infranotificación de enfermedades profesionales (EEPP) es un problema social y económico, pues repercute en el bienestar del trabajador afectado, y en las estimaciones presupuestarias que se planifican anualmente para la gestión de los servicios sanitarios. Los costes asistenciales fueron evaluados en una muestra de 13 casos de EEPP con resolución positiva por el Instituto Nacional de la Seguridad Social atendidos en el Parc de Salut Mar (Barcelona) entre 2014 y 2021. El coste de la asistencia generada del total de casos fue de 474.859 €, con un coste medio de 36.528 € por paciente. Por grupo diagnóstico, el coste más alto lo originaron los casos de cánceres que supusieron el 79% del gasto total (375.068 €). Los hallazgos del estudio reflejan el impacto económico que supone la asistencia sanitaria prestada por un hospital público a pacientes con una EEPP reconocida en el INSS (AU)

Underreporting of occupational diseases (OD) is a social and economic problem, because it has negative consequences for both the welfare of the affected workers and its impact on budgetary planning for the management of health services. We evaluated the healthcare costs of a sample of 13 cases of OD treated at a public hospital in Barcelona between 2014 and 2021, and officially accepted by the National Institute of Social Security (INSS). The total cost of care was €474,859, with an average cost of €36,528 per patient. By diagnostic group, the highest costs were associated with cancer cases, accounting for 79% of the total (€375,068). The findings of this study reflect the economic impact of health care provided by a public hospital to patients with an OD recognized by the INSS (AU)

What Are the Dry Eye Questionnaires Available in the Scientific Literature Used for? A Scoping Review.

PURPOSE: Dry eye disease (DED) is a frequent chronic ophthalmic condition. Its diagnosis includes tests and patient reported outcomes (PRO) questionnaires. Although many PRO dry eye questionnaires (PRO-DEQs) are available, they differ greatly from each other and not all have been validated. The purpose of this study was to retrieve the PRO-DEQs present in the scientific literature by performing a descriptive analysis of them and identifying those with known validity and reliability characteristics and to perform a descriptive analysis of the geographic area, year of publication, and characteristics of the target population of the clinical studies that have used validated PRO-DEQs. DESIGN: Scoping review of the literature. METHODS: Searches were conducted in PubMed to retrieve PRO-DEQs published up to July 2018 and written in English, French, Italian or Spanish. RESULTS: One thousand six hundred two records were identified and 973 were included in the final analysis. Of these, 56 provided information on the design and validation of PRO-DEQs and 49 PRO-DEQs were identified. Twenty-two PRO-DEQs were validated (17 original and 5 modified) and 27 had no associated design, validity, and reliability studies. Most of the validated PRO-DEQs were designed in English, the number of items varies from 1 to 57, the dimensions are generally not specified, and they are self-administered. The greatest use of validated PRO-DEQs in clinical studies has been in Asia since 2010, with the Ocular Surface Disease Index being the most used. These questionnaires have been used mostly in adults, retired professionals, and people with visual diseases to diagnose DED. CONCLUSIONS: This study aims to encourage the use of validated PRO-DEQs to guarantee the quality of the results obtained and the comparability and replicability among studies.

Dealing with the unknown: perceptions, fears and worries of SARS-CoV-2 infection among hospital workers / Afrontar lo desconocido: percepciones, temores y preocupaciones del personal hospitalario ante la infección por SARS-CoV-2

Objective: This study explores fears and worries regarding SARS-CoV-2 risk of infection and transmission to relatives, co-workers, and patients in relation to non-pharmacological preventive interventions among healthcare workers (including physicians, nurses, aides, cleaners, maintenance, and security staff) in a healthcare institution in Barcelona (Spain), during the first and second waves of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Method: The research used an explorative qualitative approach. Six focus groups and ten individual interviews were conducted online and audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis and mixed coding. Results: Forty professionals participated in the study. Four common themes emerged in all groups: challenges related to the lack of pandemic preparedness, concerns about personal protective equipment, unclear guidelines for case and contact tracing, and communication-related difficulties. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the key recommendations to improve non-pharmacological preventive interventions to reduce workers’ fears and worries about the risk of infection and spreading the infection to others, including families. Above all, these should include ensuring the availability, and correct use of adequate personal protective equipment, improve guidelines on case and contact tracing, and setting effective communication channels for all workers of the organization. These recommendations must be reinforced in maintenance and security personnel, as well as night shift nurses and aides, to also reduce health inequalities.(AU)

Objetivo: Este estudio explora los temores y las preocupaciones respecto al riesgo de infección y transmisión del SARS-CoV-2 a familiares, compañeros de trabajo y pacientes en relación con las intervenciones preventivas no farmacológicas entre el personal hospitalario (incluido personal de medicina, personal de enfermería y auxiliares, y personal de limpieza, mantenimiento y seguridad) de una institución sanitaria de Barcelona (España), durante la primera y segunda oleadas de la pandemia por SARS-CoV-2. Método: La investigación utilizó un enfoque cualitativo exploratorio. Se realizaron seis grupos focales y diez entrevistas individuales en línea, que se grabaron en audio, se transcribieron literalmente y se analizaron mediante análisis temático y codificación mixta. Resultados: Participaron en el estudio 40 profesionales. En todos los grupos surgieron cuatro temas comunes: retos relacionados con la falta de preparación ante una pandemia, preocupaciones sobre el equipo de protección personal, directrices poco claras para el rastreo de casos y contactos, y dificultades relacionadas con la comunicación. Conclusiones: Este estudio hace hincapié en las recomendaciones clave para mejorar las intervenciones preventivas no farmacológicas con el fin de reducir los temores y las preocupaciones de los trabajadores sobre el riesgo de infección y de contagio a otras personas, incluidas las familias. Por encima de todo, estas deben incluir garantizar la disponibilidad y el uso correcto de equipos de protección individual adecuados, mejorar las directrices sobre el rastreo de casos y contactos, y establecer canales de comunicación eficaces para todos los trabajadores de la organización. Estas recomendaciones deben reforzarse en el personal de mantenimiento y seguridad, así como en el personal de enfermería y auxiliares del turno de noche, para reducir también las desigualdades sanitarias.(AU)

Study of Excipients in Delayed Skin Reactions to mRNA Vaccines: Positive Delayed Intradermal Reactions to Polyethylene Glycol Provide New Insights for COVID-19 Arm.

BACKGROUND: Skin local reactions to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have been linked to the use of vaccine excipients. The aim of the study is to evaluate the role of skin testing excipients in delayed skin reactions due to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. METHODS: Skin testing among a group of healthcare workers with skin reactions due to mRNA vaccines was performed. Patch testing and intradermal testing (IDT) with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-400, PEG-2000, trometamol, and 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine were performed. Healthcare workers without skin reactions to vaccines were used for skin testing as controls. RESULTS: Thirty-one healthcare workers (from a total of 4315 vaccinated healthcare workers) experienced cutaneous adverse vaccine reactions. Skin testing was performed in sixteen of the healthcare workers (11 delayed large local reactions (DLLR) and 5 widespread reactions). Positive IDT for PEG-2000 1% in DLLR was seen in 10 (90.9%) patients, in comparison with one (16.6%) individual with a delayed widespread reaction. Delayed positive IDT reactions for PEG-2000 1% on day 2 were observed in three (27.3%) patients with DLLR. Patch testing of the excipients was negative. Among 10 controls, only one exhibited a transient positive IDT reaction to PEG-2000 1%. CONCLUSIONS: Immediate and delayed reactions to IDT are frequently detected in patients with DLLR. The observation of positive delayed intradermal reactions to PEG disclosed only in patients with DLLR reinforces a possible role of PEG in the development of these reactions. Skin testing of other excipients is of little importance in clinical practice.

[Proposal for a summary index of the non-pharmacological preventive measures adopted against SARS-CoV-2 in companies, the case of Parc de Salut Mar (Barcelona).] / Propuesta de un índice que resume las medidas preventivas no farmacológicas adoptadas frente al SARS-CoV-2 en las empresas, el caso del Parc de Salut Mar (Barcelona).

INTRODUCTION: Construct a numerical index of non-pharmacological preventive measures against Sars-CoV-2 based on the experience of Parc de Salut Mar (PSMar), a healthcare institution in Barcelona. METHOD: The construction of the index was carried out in three phases. The identification and selection of the variables to be included based on semi-structured interviews with key informants and documental revision. The definition of the dimensions (consisting of one or more variables) and, finally, the operationalisation of the index on the basis of these dimensions. The index was estimated in the PSMar, and in its two main centres, the Hospital del Mar and the Hospital de la Esperanza. RESULTS: Twenty-one variables were identified and categorised into six dimensions: personal protective equipment, individual organisational measures, collective organisational measures, epidemiological surveillance measures, training activities and protocol development. During the first wave, the Hospital del Mar index remained above the value obtained at the Hospital de la Esperanza, while in the second wave both indexes showed similar values until week 36, when the Hospital del Mar index began to show higher values. These oscillations were mainly due to the dimensions of personal protective equipment and training activities. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed index shows the difficulties in implementing the various non-pharmacological preventive measures in the first weeks of the pandemic. This tool can be useful for evaluating the activities carried out by the Occupational Risk Prevention Services in the face of the pandemic, with the appropriate adaptations to the reality of each individual company.

Introducción: Construir un índice numérico con las medidas preventivas no farmacológicas frente a Sars-CoV-2 a partir de la experiencia del Parc de Salut Mar (PSMar), una institución sanitaria en Barcelona. Método: La construcción del índice se ha realizado en tres fases. La identificación y selección de las variables incluidas a partir de entrevistas semiestructuradas a informantes clave y la revisión documental. La definición de las dimensiones (con una o más variables) y la operacionalización del índice (a partir de las dimensiones). Se ha estimado el índice en el PSMar, y en sus dos principales centros, el Hospital del Mar y el Hospital de la Esperanza. Resultados: Se identificaron 21 variables, clasificadas en 6 dimensiones: equipos de protección individual, medidas organizativas individuales, medidas organizativas colectivas, medidas de vigilancia epidemiológica, actividades formativas, y elaboración de protocolos. Durante la primera ola, el índice en el Hospital del Mar se mantuvo por encima del valor obtenido en el Hospital de la Esperanza; en la segunda ola ambos índices presentaron valores similares hasta la semana 36, cuando el hospital del Mar comenzó a presentar valores superiores. Estas oscilaciones se debieron principalmente a los equipos de protección individual y actividades formativas. Conclusiones: El índice propuesto muestra las dificultades para aplicar las medidas preventivas no farmacológicas en las primeras semanas de la pandemia. Esta herramienta puede ser útil para evaluar las actividades desarrolladas frente a la pandemia por parte de los Servicios de Prevención de Riesgos Laborales, con las oportunas adaptaciones a la realidad de cada empresa.

Aproximación al coste de enfermedades profesionales atendidas en siete hospitales en España / Approximation to the cost of occupational diseases treated in seven hospitals in Spain

Objetivo: Estimar el coste hospitalario de una muestra de casos atendidos en siete hospitales del Sistema Nacional de Salud de diferentes ciudades españolas. Método: Estudio basado en 78 casos de enfermedad profesional reconocida por la Seguridad Social, atendidos en centros hospitalarios de Badalona, Barcelona, Ferrol, Gijón, Girona, Madrid y Vigo entre 2017 y 2019. Resultados: La actividad asistencial generada en estos hospitales para atender estos procesos supuso un coste total para el Sistema Nacional de Salud de 282.927 €. Conclusiones: Urge mejorar la coordinación entre los dos sistemas públicos de salud: la asistencia sanitaria de la Seguridad Social y el Sistema Nacional de Salud. (AU)

Objective: To estimate the hospital cost of a sample of cases treated in seven hospitals of the National Health System in several Spanish cities. Method: Study based on 78 cases of occupational disease recognized by the social security, and previously treated in hospitals in Badalona, Barcelona, Ferrol, Gijón, Girona, Madrid and Vigo between 2017 and 2019. Results: The healthcare activity generated by these hospitals to attend these processes involved a total cost of 282,927€. Conclusions: It is urgent to improve the coordination between the two public health systems, the social security health care system and the National Health System. (AU)

Non-Pharmacological Preventive Measures Had an Impact on COVID-19 in Healthcare Workers before the Vaccination Effect: A Cohort Study.

Healthcare workers have been and still are at the forefront of COVID-19 patient care. Their infection had direct implications and caused important challenges for healthcare performance. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of non-pharmacological preventive measures against COVID-19 among healthcare workers. This study is based on a dynamic cohort of healthcare workers (n = 5543) who had been hired by a Spanish hospital for at least one week during 2020. Negative binomial regression models were used to estimate the incidence rate and the rate ratio (RR) between the two waves (defined from 15 March to 21 June and from 22 June to 31 December), considering natural immunity during the first wave and contextual variables. All models were stratified by socio-occupational variables. The average COVID-19 incidence rate per 1000 worker-days showed a significant reduction between the two waves, dropping from 0.82 (CI95%: 0.73-0.91) to 0.39 (0.35-0.44). The adjusted RR was 0.54 (0.48-0.87) when natural immunity was acquired during the first wave, and contextual variables were considered. The significant reduction of the COVID-19 incidence rate could be explained mainly by improvement in the non-pharmacological preventive interventions. It is needed to identify which measures were more effective. Young workers and those with a replacement contract were identified as vulnerable groups that need greater preventive efforts. Future preparedness plans would benefit from these results.

[Archivos in 2021, second year of the COVID-19 pandemic]. / Archivos en 2021, segundo año de la pandemia de COVID-19.

Al igual que ya sucedió en 2020, 2021 ha estado dominado por la pandemia de COVID-19. Si hace un año escribíamos esta Nota Editorial con gran preocupación por la evolución de la situación de la infección originada por el SARS-CoV-2 y, a su vez, con grandes esperanzas puestas en las vacunas como estrategia preventiva, la actual viene marcada por la incertidumbre generada por la irrupción de la nueva variante de preocupación: Omicrón….

Archivos en 2021, segundo año de la pandemia de COVID-19 / Archivos in 2021, second year of the COVID-19 pandemic

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[Approximation to the cost of occupational diseases treated in seven hospitals in Spain]. / Aproximación al coste de enfermedades profesionales atendidas en siete hospitales en España.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the hospital cost of a sample of cases treated in seven hospitals of the National Health System in several Spanish cities. METHOD: Study based on 78 cases of occupational disease recognized by the social security, and previously treated in hospitals in Badalona, Barcelona, Ferrol, Gijón, Girona, Madrid and Vigo between 2017 and 2019. RESULTS: The healthcare activity generated by these hospitals to attend these processes involved a total cost of 282,927€. CONCLUSIONS: It is urgent to improve the coordination between the two public health systems, the social security health care system and the National Health System.

What is meant by case management for the return-to-work of workers with musculoskeletal disorders? A scoping review.

BACKGROUND: Case management interventions have shown to be effective to prevent musculoskeletal pain and disability, but a single definition has not been achieved, nor an agreed profile for case managers. OBJECTIVE: To describe the elements that define case management and case managers tasks for return-to-work of workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). METHODS: A comprehensive computerized search of articles published in English until February 16, 2021 was carried out in several bibliographic databases. Grey literature was obtained through a search of 13 key websites. A peer-review screening of titles and abstracts was carried out. Full text in-depth analysis of the selected articles was performed for data extraction and synthesis of results. RESULTS: We identified 2,422 documents. After full-text screening 31 documents were included for analysis. These were mostly European and North American and had an experimental design. Fifteen documents were published between 2010 to 2021 and of these 7 studies were published from 2015. Fifteen elements were identified being the commonest "return-to-work programme" (44.4%) and "multidisciplinary assessment/interdisciplinary intervention" (44.4%). Of 18 tasks found, the most frequent was "establishing goals and planning return-to-work rehabilitation" (57.7%). Eighteen referral services were identified. CONCLUSIONS: Despite there were several elements frequently reported, some elements with scientific evidence of their importance to deal with MSDs (e.g. early return-to-work) were almost not mentioned. This study proposes key points for the description of case management and case managers tasks.