Prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in blue-collar workers: association with individual and lifestyle-related factors

Isabel Moreira-Silva,Jorge Mota,Nuno Ventura,Sandra Rodrigues,Joana Azevedo,Aderito Seixas

doi:10.24840/2184-0954_003.003_0001

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the 12-month and 7-day prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in different body regions and its association with individual (age, gender and BMI) and lifestyle-related (physical activity level and sitting time) factors among blue-collar workers of a Portuguese manufacturing company. One hundred and thirty-six blue-collar workers participated in the study. Musculoskeletal symptoms were assessed with the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, and physical activity level and sitting time were assessed with IPAQ-Short Version. The 12-month prevalence was higher in the low back (56.6%), followed by the wrist/hand (50%), the shoulder (45.6%) and the neck (44.9%). In the last 7 days, the four most affected body regions were: the low back region (25%), the shoulders (20.6%) and the neck and wrist/hands (19.9%). Regarding individual factors, significant associations were found between age and the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoulder (p=0.034), elbow (p=0.033), wrist/hand (p=0.030), thigh/hip (p=0.008), neck (p=0.010) and the low back region (p=0.045), with the older workers reporting higher prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Also, women reported a significant higher prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the neck than men (p=0.025). Overweight and obese workers had a significantly higher prevalence of symptoms in the shoulder (p=0.003), wrist/hands (p=0.030) and neck (p=0.033). Regarding lifestyle-related factors, no significant associations were found between physical activity level or sitting time (p>0.05) and the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in any of the body regions. To conclude, blue-collar workers have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms. Individual factors like age, gender and BMI seem to influence the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in different body regions, but lifestyle-related factors such as the physical activity level and sitting time seem not to be associated with the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in studied sample. The results emphasize the need of workplace interventions to prevent musculoskeletal symptoms in this population.

Highlights

The sectorization of labor, that emerged from the Industrial Revolution, forced workers to perform tasks repetitively or to stay for longer periods of time in a maintained posture during their working hours, which causes pain, physical discomfort and, musculoskeletal disorders (Gupta et al, 2016; Sjögrena et al, 2006)
The high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in blue-collar workers is a major cause of absenteeism, diminished working abilities, higher medical costs and decreased productivity (Hanebuth, Meinel, & Fischer, 2006; Manjunatha, Kiran, & Thankappan, 2011)
Significant associations were found between age and the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms in the shoulder (p=0.034), elbow (p=0.033), wrist/hand (p=0.030), thigh/hip (p=0.008), neck (p=0.010) and the low back region (p=0.045), with the older workers within the 41-60 age group presenting a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms, except for the low back region in which the highest prevalence was found in the 31-40 age group (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The sectorization of labor, that emerged from the Industrial Revolution, forced workers to perform tasks repetitively or to stay for longer periods of time in a maintained posture during their working hours, which causes pain, physical discomfort and, musculoskeletal disorders (Gupta et al, 2016; Sjögrena et al, 2006). Musculoskeletal disorders describe a group of injuries and/or disabilities affecting muscles, bones, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilages or spinal discs (Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Safety and Health, 2012). According to the World Health Organization (WHO), work-related musculoskeletal disorders have multifactorial causes or risk factors (WHO, 1995). Blue-collar workers frequently represent an occupational category with higher physical workloads, spending most of their labor time standing or walking (Chen, Perry, Yang, & Yang, 2017; Schreuder, Roelen, Koopmans, & Groothoff, 2008; Yildirim, Gunay, & Karadibak, 2014). The high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in blue-collar workers is a major cause of absenteeism, diminished working abilities, higher medical costs and decreased productivity (Hanebuth, Meinel, & Fischer, 2006; Manjunatha, Kiran, & Thankappan, 2011)

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