‘Degenerative’ conditions most frequent comorbidities in comp: Report

Degenerative comorbidities, such as disc disease and osteoarthritis, comprise the most frequent of all comorbidities in workers compensation, according to a study released Thursday by the Workers Compensation Research Institute.

The study, based on 930,000 claims filed between 2015 and 2022, found degenerative comorbidities appeared in 18.7% of claims.

Degenerative disc disease was found in 33% of those claims where the primary work-related injury resulted in a neurologic back condition, and osteoarthritis was found in 36% where the primary work-related injury was rotator cuff or shoulder impingement.

Other comorbidities included hypertension, suffered by 10.6% of claimants; substance abuse, 8.5%; mental health, 3.9%; diabetes; 3.7%; and “obese or overweight,” 3%.

Overall, 21.9% of claims had one comorbidity, 9.7% had two comorbidities, and 7.2% had three or more comorbidities; 61.2% of claims had no comorbidities.