A study on musculoskeletal complaints and working postures in pathology specialists in Iran

• Published in: BMC musculoskeletal disorders Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 1 - 8
• Main Authors: Rafeemanesh, Ehsan, Khooei, Alireza, Niroumand, Shabnam, Shirzadeh, Tina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London BioMed Central 03.12.2021; BioMed Central Ltd; BMC
• Subjects: Ankle; Back pain; Biomechanics; Body mass index; Epidemiology; Health aspects; Health care; Internal Medicine; Laboratories; Low back pain; Medical personnel; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Movement disorders; Musculoskeletal diseases; Musculoskeletal system; Neck pain; Nordic questionnaire; Occupational diseases; Occupational health; Occupational safety; Orthopedics; Pathologist; Pathologists; Pathology; Posture; Questionnaires; Rapid upper limb assessment (RULA); Rehabilitation; Rheumatology; Risk factors; Sports Medicine; Statistical analysis; Variables; Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs); Working hours; Wrist; Iran; Nordic questionnaire; Rapid upper limb assessment (RULA); Pathologist; Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs); Posture
• ISSN: 1471-2474; 1471-2474
• DOI: 10.1186/s12891-021-04870-w

Background Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are one of the most common causes of occupational injuries and disabilities among health care workers. This study investigates the relationship between musculoskeletal complaints and pathologist postures in laboratories. Method In this cross-sectional study, 40 pathologists were evaluated. MSDs in different body segments of the participants were evaluated by Nordic questionnaire. For postural analysis, 20 min film was recorded while using a microscope by subjects. Posture analysis was done by the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) method and their repetitive movements were scored. The data was analyzed by SPSS Version 11.5. Results The mean age and duration of employment of subjects was 36.57 ± 7.54 years and 6.50 ± 6.30 years, respectively. Most MSDs were found in neck (65%), wrist (57.5%), upper back (50%) and lower back (47.5%). The mean RULA grand score was higher in participants with upper back and shoulder pain. A statistically significant relationship was found between the mean RULA grand, the upper back pain ( P  = 0.02) and the wrist pain ( P  = 0.003), as well as between the mean RULA B, the neck pain ( P  = 0.02) and the lower back pain ( P  = 0.05). The results showed a significant relationship between mean weekly working hours and tight ( P  < 0.001), wrist ( p  = 0.01) and ankle ( P  = 0.008). Conclusion This study revealed high prevalence of MSDs among the pathologists. Therefore, performing ergonomic corrective actions is essential in order to improve their physical conditions at work.