Local Determinants of MSK Health
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The risk factors and determinants of musculoskeletal (MSK) health of a cohort of patients presenting at Ipswich Hospital, East Suffolk North Essex Foundation Trust (ESNEFT). A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data.
IRAS ID
353677
Contact name
Matthew LC Fay
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
East Suffolk and North East Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
This study will help to better understand what leads to bone, joint and muscle problems in the Ipswich area.
Musculoskeletal (also known as MSK) conditions are problems with the muscles, bones and joints resulting in short- or long-term limitations in our ability to do everyday activities. There are lots of reasons why certain people experience MSK conditions and others don’t. Some include things like older age, gender, increased weight, smoking, diet deficiencies, alcohol intake and not doing exercise. However, it can also be affected by things such as where a person lives, their job or education. These can also affect their access to the NHS for treatment and support. Together it can create health inequalities.Within the Ipswich area parts of the population are more at risk from MSK conditions than others. For instance, the number of people aged 65 and over is higher than the average across England and adult obesity rates are twice as high in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived. Accordingly, the local population provides an opportunity to understand the reasons that create MSK health inequalities.
This will be achieved with information already held by Ipswich Hospital. Information such as; age, gender, weight, ethnicity and neighbourhood of residence will be used to understand who attends Ipswich Hospital with MSK conditions. The study population will be made up of adult residents of Ipswich who attended with low back pain (including low back pain with leg pain), fragility fractures or knee and hip osteoarthritis in 2024. From the information gained a comparison will be made of people attending the hospital against the local population characteristics. If differences between the populations presenting at Ipswich Hospital and those residing locally are identified, then the reasons why will be explored further from this analysed data.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/YH/0268
Date of REC Opinion
11 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion