PREVALENCE OF MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS IN PATIENTS VISITING GOVERNMENT UNANI HOSPITAL AND AYUSH CENTRES IN KASHMIR, INDIA: A PRELIMINARY STUDY

Abstract

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are soft tissue injuries that occur gradually over time and affect the muscles, tendons, lig aments, joints and nerves. These co nditions develop when one or more of these tissues are used for a long period of time without adequate rest. The common MSDs encompasses low backache (LBA) and different types of arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome etc. LBA is a common problem and t he highes t prevalence is seen in patients aged 45 to 65 years. Approximately 60 - 80 % of the world’s population experience back pain at some time in their lives. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major health problem in terms of its prevalence, associated disability and effe ct on the quality of life. It is the most common form of arthritis worldwide and the leading cause of mobility related disability in the elderly. T he best way to prevent MSD s is to educate the people about risk factors and preventive strategies. The presen t study was planned with an objective to know the prevalence of MSDs and to determine the ratio of diseases in respect of Mizaj (Temperament) of the patients attending Govt. Unani Hospital Shalteng, Srinagar and AYUSH Cen t res in Kashmir , India. The study w as an ob servational multi - centric cross - se ctional hospital based survey. A t otal of 15529 patients irrespective of age and sex , attending the out - patient s departments of these centres were included in the stud y. A pre - tested semi - structured questionnaire w hich was based on the demographic prof ile and risk factors of MSD s was administered to collect the relevant data. The results showed that overall prevalence of MSDs was 2 .1 6 %. The mean age of patients was 42 years . The prevalent morbidities in patients we re LBA (33.33 %), OA (25.89 %), Cervical spondylosis (13.69 %), PIVDP (11.01 %), Rheumatoid arthritis (4 - 46 %), Lumbar spondylosis (4.16 %), Frozen shoulder 1.78 %), Carpal Tunnel syndrome (1.48 %), Osteoporosis (1.19 %), Gout, Kyphoscolosis, Tennis elbow and Sciatica (0.59 %) each and Migratory arthritis and Ganglion (0.29 %) each. The prevalence was highest in patients having Balgami (phlegmatic) temperament.