Abstract
BackgroundMusculoskeletal symptoms account for the majority of work-related illnesses resulting in a significant economic burden on society. Computer users are subject to unique repetitive strains that predispose them to musculoskeletal symptoms. In the digitalized field of radiology, radiologists spend long hours interpreting medical images on computers. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among radiologists in Saudi Arabia and their contributing factors.MethodsAn online survey was sent to radiologists in all hospitals (academic, public and private) in the major cities of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia covering demographic characteristics, workload (e.g. the time spent at a computer workstation), and workstation environments including the number of monitors as well as the adjustability of the height of the workstation and the viewing distance. This survey of 263 radiologists was conducted in April 2019. It included an evaluation of musculoskeletal symptoms using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire. The study outcome was the presence of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms in any body region, which restricted the performance of normal activities in the last 12 months. Results were analyzed descriptively using a Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis to estimate the odd ratio of experiencing disabling musculoskeletal symptoms in the last 12 months.ResultsThe survey was completed by 198 participants (111 men and 87 women) with a response rate of 75.3%. Most participants (71.2%) were aged below 40 years. A multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed being a female radiologist (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2–6.5), aged 30–39 years (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.1–15.3), and predominantly reviewing computed tomography (CT) images (OR = 4.1; 95% CI: 1.4–12.3) or ultrasound scans (OR = 5.9; 95% CI: 1.4–25.3) were associated with higher prevalence of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms, compared to those aged below 30 years and those who reviewed various imaging modalities, respectively.ConclusionsMusculoskeletal symptoms are common among radiologists with lower back and neck pain being the most frequent complaints. Being a female radiologist, aged 30–39 years, and reviewing CT or ultrasound scans were associated with higher rates of disabling musculoskeletal symptoms.
Highlights
Musculoskeletal symptoms account for the majority of work-related illnesses resulting in a significant economic burden on society
The analysis revealed that age group (30–39 years) parameter behaved as an independent factor associated with musculoskeletal symptoms (OR = 4.1; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.1–15.3)
Our study reported a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among radiologists, with up to 70.7% of the participating radiologists experiencing musculoskeletal symptoms in the week preceding the survey
Summary
Musculoskeletal symptoms account for the majority of work-related illnesses resulting in a significant economic burden on society. Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms refer to muscular, nervous, tendinous, or joint-related discomforts in various parts of the body that are primarily attributable to the work environment, and are worsened or prolonged by working conditions [1]. These musculoskeletal symptoms pose a high economic burden. Neck pain and other musculoskeletal conditions were the sixth and seventh leading causes, respectively [2]. In the United States, musculoskeletal symptoms represent a significant health problem that accounts for approximately one-third of all work-related illnesses [3]. Healthcare providers themselves are prone to various musculoskeletal symptoms as a result of from repetitive tasks, performance of high-force manual techniques, and awkward postures [5]
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