Abstract

Background
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are highly prevalent in physically demanding occupations, including fisheries; however, standardized and field-applicable screening approaches remain limited. The lack of practical frameworks integrating symptoms, functional impairments, and objective findings constrains early identification and prevention in occupational settings. This study applied a structured musculoskeletal screening protocol to characterize musculoskeletal conditions among Korean fishermen and evaluate its feasibility in occupational health settings.
Methods
This field-based study included 329 fishers who participated in a health-screening program. The protocol integrated standardized questionnaires (Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index Short Form, Oswestry Disability Index, and QuickDASH), physical examinations, and radiographic assessments. Percentile-based thresholds (upper 20% of normalized scores) were used to identify a higher symptom burden. Participants were classified into Adequate, Caution, and Disorder-level (screen-positive) groups based on predefined operational criteria. Physical workload was assessed using a structured questionnaire, and a physical strain score was calculated as a relative index of musculoskeletal workload. Logistic regression analyses explored associations with occupational factors.
Results
Among the participants (mean age, 60.4 years; 63.2% male), 46.5% were classified into the Disorder-level group for at least one condition, and 90.9% were classified into either the Disorder-level or Caution group. Upper extremity MSDs were the most frequently identified condition (32.5%). Higher physical strain scores were associated with an increased likelihood of Disorder-level classification, particularly for upper extremity MSDs (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 3.30–3.75) and degenerative lumbar disorder (aOR, 4.98–10.97). Differences were also observed by fishing type, with higher lumbar involvement among aquaculture workers.
Conclusions
This study presents a structured screening protocol for MSDs among fishers and demonstrates its feasibility and applicability in field settings. The protocol may support risk stratification and the identification of individuals requiring further evaluation or preventive management. The diagnostic performance and longitudinal impact of this method warrant further investigation.

• Keywords: Fisheries; Musculoskeletal Diseases; Mass Screening; Occupational Exposure; Risk Assessment