Comparative analysis of the musculoskeletal health in Poland and Spain: a cross-sectional study using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health

Background: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is the framework for describing disability. The aim of the study was to make an ICF-based comparison between musculoskeletal health in Poland and Spain. Methods: A comparative study was conducted to identify cross-cultural differences between Poland and Spain in the prevalence of ICF entities from the brief ICF core set for post-acute musculoskeletal conditions. A total of 840 people were included in the study. Information was recoded into ICF qualifiers to obtain comparable data. Results: Significant differences in functioning were found between the two samples, with a higher prevalence in all the ICF entities for the Spanish sample. Similarities were found in the ICF components ‘Body Functions’ and ‘Environmental Factors’, with the most prevalent ICF entities being ‘b280 Sensation of pain’ and ‘e225 Climate’ respectively. For ‘Activities and Participation’, differences were observed, with ‘d430 Lifting and carrying objects’ being the most common for the Spanish sample and ‘d450 Walking’ for the Polish sample. Conclusions: A theoretical application of the ICF has been empirically tested for the first time, a milestone in the development of this research methodology. Differences in the prevalence of ICF entities showed a better musculoskeletal health in the Polish sample. Trial registration: NCT06283407