Abstract
To investigate the factors that may contribute to develop Neuromuscular insufficiencies in the general population of Karachi like age origin, occupation, kind of work, daily water intake, daily working hours and exposure time to various screens etc. Questionnaire-based survey. 150 individuals ranging between 15-65 years were interviewed with the help of a self-designed questionnaire. The data was analyzed statistically by using Microsoft Excel. Neuromuscular indications and difficulties were positive in 79% of the interviewed individuals. A major number of subjects complained to have different neuromuscular insufficiencies including, body pain (68%), joint pain (42%), numbness (42%) and muscle weakness (63%). Some of the participants reported to suffer with the difficulties in walking (13%), running (25%), holding (7%) and muscular strength (9%). However, only 29% of these sufferers were formerly diagnosed with any neuromuscular disease with18% had a family history of neuromuscular disorders. Remaining i.e., 71% are those who have not been diagnosed with any disorder and they were suffering with these symptoms. Among these un-diagnosed participants 53% had consanguineous marriages among their parents. Those, who were reported to have any of the neuromuscular problem includes: 26% students, 31% office workers, 11% labours and 33% housewives. An important factor that has appeared to contribute mainly in the development of neuromuscular insufficiencies is the time for exposure to screens like TV, Computer, Cell phone etc. Among these undiagnosed participants who were suffering with neuromuscular problem(s), 93% are being exposed to these screens for more than 5 hours a day. Another most important factor was appeared to be the daily water intake as most (88%) of those individuals’ daily water intake was less than 10 glasses per day. Back pain was the major complaint observed through this data which seems to be related with prolonged inappropriate posture.
Highlights
History details were recorded by asking the questions about socio-demographic variables including consanguineous marriages between their parents, origin, occupation, kind of work, daily working hours, daily water intake, daily computer and visual screen hours, balance diet, supplement intake, treatment, addiction, daily exercise, sports and any other disease that contribute to the neuromuscular disorder
Health examination has been recorded by asking them about some common indications such as body pain, joint’s pain, back pain, numbness and general muscle weakness that were mostly observed in a patient of neuromuscular disorder with their frequencies and intensity of these indications were identified by graded them as high, medium or low
68% of the interviewed persons found to have body pain, 42% subjects are reported to have joint pain, 49% for numbness and 63% reported for muscle weakness (Figure 1a)
Summary
Neuromuscular disorders include heterogeneous conditions that may directly involve intrinsic muscle pathology or may occur indirectly due to any abnormality in the peripheral nervous system, neuromuscular junctions and motor cells in the spinal cord causing improper functioning of the muscles [1]. Fibromyalgia is the most widespread chronic neuromuscular pain that has been reported by the general population. History details were recorded by asking the questions about socio-demographic variables including consanguineous marriages between their parents, origin, occupation, kind of work, daily working hours, daily water intake, daily computer and visual screen hours, balance diet, supplement intake, treatment, addiction, daily exercise, sports and any other disease that contribute to the neuromuscular disorder. Health examination has been recorded by asking them about some common indications such as body pain, joint’s pain, back pain, numbness and general muscle weakness that were mostly observed in a patient of neuromuscular disorder with their frequencies (rare, sometimes, usual and most of the time) and intensity of these indications were identified by graded them as high, medium or low. All the data values were compared and presented in the form of an appropriate chart or graph
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