Kasper M J, Robbins L, Root L, Peterson M G, Allegrante J P
Arthritis Care Res. 1993 Sep;6(3):126-33. doi: 10.1002/art.1790060304.
A hospital-based outreach program was initiated to screen minority children in medically underserved areas of New York City for musculoskeletal diseases. We examine the number of such diseases in this population, and evaluate the program's success to facilitate referral and follow-up of children with referral conditions.
Screenings were conducted at schools and day-care centers. Children requiring further evaluation were referred to the sponsoring hospital, a major referral center for musculoskeletal diseases. Bilingual educational strategies, transportation reimbursement, and coverage for uninsured children were used to foster participation and increase follow-up.
A total of 2,523 children were screened, 168 (6.7%) of whom were referred for one of 45 different musculoskeletal disorders, including scoliosis and back problems, foot problems, in- and out-toeing, knee or hip pain, and problems of joint range of motion. Sixty-seven percent of those referred had a follow-up medical consultation.
A substantial proportion of urban minority children have previously undiagnosed musculoskeletal disorders that, if left untreated, have the potential to lead to significant disability in later life. Targeted screening programs can be effective in identifying such disorders, and providing and opportunity for early diagnosis, treatment, and education.
启动了一项以医院为基础的外展项目，对纽约市医疗服务不足地区的少数族裔儿童进行肌肉骨骼疾病筛查。我们调查了该人群中此类疾病的数量，并评估该项目的成效，以促进对有转诊条件儿童的转诊和后续跟踪。
在学校和日托中心进行筛查。需要进一步评估的儿童被转诊至主办医院，这是一家肌肉骨骼疾病的主要转诊中心。采用双语教育策略、交通费用报销以及为未参保儿童提供保险等方式来促进参与并增加后续跟踪。
共筛查了2523名儿童，其中168名（6.7%）因45种不同的肌肉骨骼疾病之一被转诊，这些疾病包括脊柱侧凸和背部问题、足部问题、内八字和外八字、膝盖或臀部疼痛以及关节活动范围问题。被转诊的儿童中有67%接受了后续医疗咨询。
相当一部分城市少数族裔儿童此前患有未被诊断出的肌肉骨骼疾病，若不治疗，这些疾病有可能在日后导致严重残疾。有针对性的筛查项目能够有效地识别此类疾病，并为早期诊断、治疗和教育提供机会。
