Health and Safety Executive

Table BACKAGE1 - 2004/05

Estimated prevalence and rates (%) of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders mainly affecting the back caused or made worse by work, by age and gender, for people ever employed, 2004/05, 2003/04 and 2001/02.

Gender Age group Sample cases Estimated prevalence (thousands) Rate per 100 ever employed
central 95% C.I. central 95% C.I.
lower upper lower upper
Males 16 - 34 73 45 34 55 0.76 0.59 0.94
35 - 44 116 62 50 73 1.5 1.2 1.7
45 - 54 116 60 49 71 1.7 1.3 2.0
55 - 64 117 60 49 71 1.8 1.5 2.1
65+ 82 38 30 47 0.99 0.78 1.2
Total 504 264 241 288 1.3 1.2 1.4
Females 16 - 34 55 30 22 38 0.50 0.36 0.63
35 - 44 79 39 31 48 0.91 0.71 1.1
45 - 54 90 44 35 53 1.2 0.96 1.5
55 - 59 46 23 16 30 1.2 0.87 1.6
60+ 108 51 41 61 0.81 0.66 0.97
Total 378 188 169 207 0.85 0.76 0.93
All persons 16 - 34 128 74 61 87 0.63 0.52 0.74
35 - 44 195 101 87 116 1.2 1.0 1.3
45 - 54 206 104 90 119 1.4 1.2 1.6
55 - 59/64 163 83 70 96 1.6 1.4 1.9
60/65+ 190 89 76 102 0.88 0.75 1.0
Total 882 452 422 483 1.1 0.98 1.1

Notes:

  • Definitions and data reliability
  • See section 2.7 and Appendix 3.2 in the 'Self-reported work-related illness in 2004/05' (SWI04/05) report for more details on prevalence estimates and rates.
  • The estimates in this table take account of revisions made to the Great Britain population estimates following the 2001 Census.

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Updated 12.05.08