Aberdeen scientists will form part of a new UK research centre tackling the impact of musculoskeletal disorders on people’s ability to work.
The Aberdeen University researchers will join colleagues at the £1.4million Arthritis Research UK/MRC Centre for Musculoskeletal Health and Work.
They will be working on a study, led by the University of Southampton, which is aiming to find cost-effective ways of reducing the impact of conditions that affect the muscles, joints and bones on people’s employment and productivity.
Professor Gary Macfarlane, Professor of epidemiology, will lead the input from Aberdeen.
He said: “Although research has improved our understanding of how to manage rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders in order to improve quality of life for patients, it is less clear how we can most effectively allow patients to remain in work.”
According to the Office for National Statistics, almost 31 million days of work were lost last year due to back, neck and muscle problems, and they accounted for more prolonged absences than any other ailment.
Musculoskeletal disorders have been the primary cause of absenteeism for the past five years, with the UK having one of the highest rates in Europe.