MIDAS-POP

This study is part of the MIDAS programme of research which is designed to get better evidence about health and care in local populations. Our focus is on trying to understand and reduce differences in musculoskeletal health between different groups of people.

Painful musculoskeletal conditions like back pain and osteoarthritis cause more disability in the general population than any other health condition. Poorer communities and individuals are often the hardest hit. In order to have a suitably ‘joined up’ response to this challenge we need accurate and meaningful joined up information on musculoskeletal health, risk, and care in local populations. This is what our study will try to address.

Study design

This is an observational cohort study; cross-sectional survey (hybrid online/postal administration) with individual-level linkage to primary care electronic health records.

Aim and objectives

The aim of this study is to provide new research evidence to inform efforts to reduce variation in musculoskeletal health at a population level, through a cross-sectional survey of key participant-reported outcomes and social determinants of health, of the adult population and with linkage to high-quality EHR data among consenting respondents. Our proposal will provide a detailed description of health, key comorbidity, the wider determinants and care among the general population, with a particular focus on musculoskeletal health and those with musculoskeletal conditions.

• Aim 1: To describe musculoskeletal health and inequalities in the adult population
• Aim 2: To describe and compare the biopsychosocial context of adults with musculoskeletal health problems
• Aim 3: To relate local estimates of musculoskeletal health needs with the use of healthcare services