Study Of Musculoskeletal Disorders Research Articles

Estimating the prevalence and predictors of musculoskeletal disorders in Tanzania: a cross-sectional pilot study.

musculoskeletal (MSK) disorders account for approximately 20% of all years lived with disability worldwide however studies of MSK disorders in Africa are scarce. This pilot study aimed to estimate the community-based prevalence of MSK disorders, identify predictors, and assess the associated disability in a Tanzanian population. a cross-sectional study was conducted in one village in the Kilimanjaro region from March to June 2019. The Gait, Arms, Legs, Spine (GALS) or paediatric GALS (pGALS) examinations were used during household and school visits. Individuals positive in GALS/pGALS screening were assessed by the regional examination of the musculoskeletal system (REMS) and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ). among the 1,172 individuals enrolled in households, 95 (8.1%, 95% CI: 6.6 - 9.8) showed signs of MSK disorders using the GALS/pGALS examination and 37 (3.2%, 95% CI: 2.2 - 4.3) using the REMS. Among 682 schools enrolled children, seven showed signs of MSK disorders using the GALS/pGALS examination (1.0%, 95% CI: 0.4 - 2.1) and three using the REMS (0.4%, 95% CI: 0.0 - 1.3). In the household-enrolled adult population, female gender and increasing age were associated with GALS and REMS-positive findings. Among GALS-positive adults, increasing age was associated with REMS-positive status and increasing MHAQ score. this Tanzanian study demonstrates a prevalence of MSK disorders and identifies predictors of MSK disorders comparable to those seen globally. These findings can inform the development of rheumatology services and interventions in Tanzania and the design of future investigations of the determinants of MSK disorders, and their impacts on health, livelihoods, and well-being.

An in vitro model system based on calcium- and phosphate ion-induced hMSC spheroid mineralization

A challenge in regenerative medicine is creating the three-dimensional organic and inorganic in vitro microenvironment of bone, which would allow the study of musculoskeletal disorders and the generation of building blocks for bone regeneration. This study presents a microwell-based platform for creating spheroids of human mesenchymal stromal cells, which are then mineralized using ionic calcium and phosphate supplementation. The resulting mineralized spheroids promote an osteogenic gene expression profile through the influence of the spheroids’ biophysical environment and inorganic signaling and require less calcium or phosphate to achieve mineralization compared to a monolayer culture. We found that mineralized spheroids represent an in vitro model for studying small molecule perturbations and extracellular mediated calcification. Furthermore, we demonstrate that understanding pathway signaling elicited by the spheroid environment allows mimicking these pathways in traditional monolayer culture, enabling similar rapid mineralization events. In sum, this study demonstrates the rapid generation and employment of a mineralized cell model system for regenerative medicine applications.

Study of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Farmers Involved in Manual Paddy Bagging Task

Filling paddy bags by hand is a common task during harvesting, but it can cause musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in various body regions. The current study aims to evaluate posture and find an association between MSDs and body posture scores. The Nordic questionnaire and rapid entire body assessment (REBA) were used to collect MSDs and postures from farmers. The MSD in various body regions (neck, elbows, hands, upper back, knees, ankles, lower back, hips, thighs, and buttocks) was found to be 6.7%, 10%, 3.3%, 6.7%, 16.7%, 20%, and 10%, respectively, during the last 12-month period. In REBA score findings, holding bags, filling the bucket, and the bag were found to have a very high risk of causing MSDs. Despite the fact that MSDs are not very common among farmers who engage in paddy bagging tasks, posture analysis reveals what causes MSDs. Further investigation is needed to improve and reduce MSDs.

STING signaling in inflammaging: a new target against musculoskeletal diseases.

Stimulator of Interferon Gene (STING) is a critical signaling linker protein that plays a crucial role in the intrinsic immune response, particularly in the cytoplasmic DNA-mediated immune response in both pathogens and hosts. It is also involved in various signaling processes in vivo. The musculoskeletal system provides humans with morphology, support, stability, and movement. However, its aging can result in various diseases and negatively impact people's lives. While many studies have reported that cellular aging is a leading cause of musculoskeletal disorders, it also offers insight into potential treatments. Under pathological conditions, senescent osteoblasts, chondrocytes, myeloid cells, and muscle fibers exhibit persistent senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), metabolic disturbances, and cell cycle arrest, which are closely linked to abnormal STING activation. The accumulation of cytoplasmic DNA due to chromatin escape from the nucleus following DNA damage or telomere shortening activates the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Moreover, STING activation is also linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, epigenetic modifications, and impaired cytoplasmic DNA degradation. STING activation upregulates SASP and autophagy directly and indirectly promotes cell cycle arrest. Thus, STING may be involved in the onset and development of various age-related musculoskeletal disorders and represents a potential therapeutic target. In recent years, many STING modulators have been developed and used in the study of musculoskeletal disorders. Therefore, this paper summarizes the effects of STING signaling on the musculoskeletal system at the molecular level and current understanding of the mechanisms of endogenous active ligand production and accumulation. We also discuss the relationship between some age-related musculoskeletal disorders and STING, as well as the current status of STING modulator development.

Influence of ergonomics of schoolchildren’s workplaces on the occurrence of musculoskeletal discomfort

Intriduction. Purpose of the study - is to evaluate the influence of ergonomic parameters of modern educational environment workplaces on the manifestation of musculoskeletal discomfort in adolescents. Materials and methods. The conformity of the size of the working places at school to the anthropometric parameters of adolescents was assessed, the goniometric parameters of the working postures were evaluated, presence of musculoskeletal discomfort was studied using an adapted version of the Nordic Questionnaire, and associated factors during the questionnaire. Results. There were revealed discrepancies between the size of the school educational furniture and the anthropometric data of adolescents, the presence of deviations from the recommended ranges for the goniometric indicators of the working postures of adolescents at school. There is a high prevalence of musculoskeletal discomfort among adolescents. The results of the influence of an irrational working posture on the manifestation of musculoskeletal discomfort among adolescents have been obtained. Limitations. The study included groups of 10-11 years and 15-16 years adolescents. The questionnaire method was used to assess the manifestations of musculoskeletal discomfort, with no study of musculoskeletal disorders in adolescents. The study was cross-sectional in nature. Conclusion. to prevent posture disorders and manifestations of musculoskeletal discomfort, it is important to teach adolescents ergonomic principles, the prevention of musculoskeletal disorders, and the preservation of a rational working posture in school activities.

Study of musculoskeletal disorders of the cervical spine and upper extremity in Dentists: A review article

Study of musculoskeletal disorders of the cervical spine and upper extremity in Dentists: A review article

A Study of Musculo Skeletal Disorders among Bank Workers Employed in and Around Arera Hills Bhopal

A Study of Musculo Skeletal Disorders among Bank Workers Employed in and Around Arera Hills Bhopal

Study of musculoskeletal disorders in a cohort of Egyptian diabetic patients and its relation to glycemic control

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects the musculoskeletal (MSK) system, resulting in significant morbidity. These manifestations are unrecognized, though they are found in daily practice.Aim To study the effect of DM on the MSK system and the prevalence of these MSK disorders among Egyptians.Patients and methods In total, 100 patients with type 1 DM, 100 patients with type 2 DM, and 100 normal controls were examined for different types of MSK disorders. Fasting and postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and lipid profile testings were done for patients and controls. Plain radiography of the dorsolumbar region and ankle joint and nerve conduction study of the median nerve were done in some selected cases.Results These MSK manifestations were found in patients with types 1 and 2 DM, and their prevalence rates are as follows: carpal tunnel syndrome (14 and 5%, respectively), sclerodactyly (9 and 3%, respectively), Charcot joint (2 and 4%, respectively), limited joint mobility (2 and 6%, respectively), stenosing tenosynovitis (1 and 5%, respectively), shoulder capsulitis (1 and 10%, respectively), diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (0 and 3%, respectively) and Dupuytren’s contracture (0 and 1%, respectively). MSK manifestations were more prevalent in patients with longer disease duration, poor glycemic control, and higher levels of lipid profile.Conclusion The result of this study emphasizes the importance of glycemic control and its relation to MSK manifestations, in addition to the new finding that elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein are significantly related to MSK manifestations.

Study of musculoskeletal disorders in a cohort of Egyptian diabetic patients and its relation to glycemic control

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects the musculoskeletal (MSK) system, resulting in significant morbidity. These manifestations are unrecognized, though they are found in daily practice. Aim To study the effect of DM on the MSK system and the prevalence of these MSK disorders among Egyptians. Patients and methods In total, 100 patients with type 1 DM, 100 patients with type 2 DM, and 100 normal controls were examined for different types of MSK disorders. Fasting and postprandial blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, and lipid profile testings were done for patients and controls. Plain radiography of the dorsolumbar region and ankle joint and nerve conduction study of the median nerve were done in some selected cases. Results These MSK manifestations were found in patients with types 1 and 2 DM, and their prevalence rates are as follows: carpal tunnel syndrome (14 and 5%, respectively), sclerodactyly (9 and 3%, respectively), Charcot joint (2 and 4%, respectively), limited joint mobility (2 and 6%, respectively), stenosing tenosynovitis (1 and 5%, respectively), shoulder capsulitis (1 and 10%, respectively), diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (0 and 3%, respectively) and Dupuytren’s contracture (0 and 1%, respectively). MSK manifestations were more prevalent in patients with longer disease duration, poor glycemic control, and higher levels of lipid profile. Conclusion The result of this study emphasizes the importance of glycemic control and its relation to MSK manifestations, in addition to the new finding that elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein are significantly related to MSK manifestations.

PMS107 - Patient-Reported Outcomes in Studies Published in 2014: which Tools have been most Commonly Used in Studies of Musculoskeletal Disorders?

PMS107 - Patient-Reported Outcomes in Studies Published in 2014: which Tools have been most Commonly Used in Studies of Musculoskeletal Disorders?

Prevalence of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders in Auto-mission Assembly Plant Workers

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in auto of a mission assembly plants. Background: Most studies of musculoskeletal disorders have used car assembly line as their participants. However, little research has been done on musculoskeletal disorders afflictions of mission assembly line workers. Method: Through a focus group interview with an ergonomist and a manager at a mission assembly plant site, a questionnaire was developed for musculoskeletal disorders. The questionnaire consisted of five parts, demographic factors, musculoskeletal disorder symptoms, and musculoskeletal disorder experiences; 137 participated in this survey. The surveys were analyzed by correlation and Chi-squared analysis. Results: Musculoskeletal disorder symptoms and serious pain were reported in the neck, shoulder, back, and fingers. These problems were statistically related to various demographic factors, such as age, stature, stretching, and work satisfaction. Conclusion: Treatment of musculoskeletal disorders should consider the workers traits. If there is no specific cause of the pain, developing stretches and exercises before and after work should be applied to prevent musculoskeletal disorders. Application: The results of this study can be used to develop guidelines to prevent injury in auto at mission assembly plants.

Study of musculoskeletal disorders in physical therapists: correlation with routine work.

Introduction: Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) affect health professionals by frequent exposure to physical and mental overloads during the workday. Physiotherapy aims to promote functional health of the individual, however ergonomic conditions in their workplace are often precarious and that along with the activities and repetitive movements resisted overload the musculoskeletal system inducing damage to your physical condition. Objective: Identify the occurrence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (DMEs) in physical therapists working in public and private health services in Recife-Pernambuco, recording determinants and establishing relationship with clinical practice and the workload of the tests. Method: Observational study of physiotherapists of both genders. Peres administered questionnaire collected personal information, professional performance and DMEs Results: 41 physiotherapists; 85.4% reported DMEs, females (80.5%); 41.4% between 24-30 years; places of work, hospitals (70.7%) and clinical (63.4%); predominance of lesions in the spine and upper limbs; 65.7% changed work habits due to the occurrence of DMEs. Significant correlation between age and gender prevalence in females; since the occurrence of DMEs was not significantly correlated with time of practice, with workload, with the number of daily visits nor to rest at work. Conclusion: The volunteers showed high percentage of involvement by DMEs, especially in the spine, which seems to be related to the age and gender of the therapist. The study indicates that physical therapists are an exposed to risk for developing occupational musculoskeletal disorders profession, requiring awareness of students and professionals about proper use of the body itself, the risks of the profession in order to prevent future physical limitations.

A Method for Imputing the Impact of Health Problems on At-Work Performance and Productivity From Available Health Data

To develop a method for imputing the work performance and productivity impact of illness and treatment from available data. Using data from four studies of musculoskeletal disorders (eg, osteoarthritis) and pain, we modeled the relationships between scores from the Work Limitations Questionnaire (WLQ), a validated measure of health-related limitations in work performance and productivity, and a series of validated health measures (eg, a pain scale). The 15 health and 5 WLQ variables were significantly associated in 115 of 116 study-specific models (P < 0.05). Fifteen commonly collected health variables may be used to predict WLQ impact (increase or decrease) for samples with musculoskeletal pain and physical impairments to help fill information gaps.

The time variation pattern of mechanical exposure and the reporting of low back pain

Creating mechanical exposure profiles for multi-component jobs for use in epidemiological studies of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is challenging but becoming more common. Once time-varying mechanical exposure profiles are created, some form of exposure index must be derived. Available techniques typically provide information about the relative amount of time exposed to different levels and durations of stressors. Little or no information concerning the sequence or history of exposure delivery is maintained. The current paper examines an approach to the processing of time varying exposures for epidemiological studies. Shift-long exposure data of 68 production operators (34 cases; 34 controls) from a large epidemiological study of low back pain reporting were used to create individual shift-long internal mechanical exposure profiles. These were processed through a first-order system with varying time constants to generate a range of modelled responses from which two exposure indices were then created. The utility of these mechanical exposure indices was evaluated using low back pain reporting as the health outcome from the same epidemiological study. The modelled response using the first-order system appeared to provide additional exposure information, perhaps time-history sensitive exposure information that was not captured by the unprocessed exposure profiles. Risk estimates from the peak value exposure index derived from an internal exposure processed with a time constant of 2 s were almost doubled compared with the risk estimates of the unprocessed peak value, and the final value, taken from the internal exposure processed with a time constant of 5 000 s, generated higher risk estimates over the cumulative/average exposures. This study suggests a potential analysis approach for epidemiological studies of musculoskeletal disorders where long-duration mechanical exposure data is available.

Validity of self-assessed reports of occurrence and duration of occupational tasks

To obtain quantitative estimates of the physical workload in epidemiological and intervention studies of musculoskeletal disorders, there is a need to extend task based exposure data to job exposure profiles. For this purpose a work task diary was developed and evaluated. This was validated against direct observations of a day's work for twenty-two female office workers and twenty female hospital cleaners. There was a good agreement regarding the occurrence of the main tasks. However, the less time-consuming tasks were under-reported. Moreover, about two thirds of the changes between tasks were not reported. The difficulties of defining tasks that function as occupational entities seems to be a major reason for the lack of agreement. The underestimation of the duration of breaks/pauses was most pronounced for the cleaners. Still, the diary would be useful for the calculation of job exposure, by time-weighting task exposure data, when the tasks and/or their duration vary between days.

Assessment of psychological and social current working conditions in epidemiological studies: experiences from the MUSIC-Norrtälje study

The aim of this study was to present, evaluate and propose a tool for the assessment of psychosocial working conditions in epidemiological studies. A referent group of the large epidemiological study, the MUSIC-Norrtälje study of musculoskeletal disorders, was used. The respondents were 950 working persons (585 female and 365 male). Self-administered questionnaire and personal interview were used. The responses were subjected to factor analysis. The resulting model had components generated from the demand-control-support model and action theory. The result supported the use of different aspects of psychological job demands. The interview data seemed to be more related to factual exposure and the questionnaire data more to individual perception. The usefulness of the model was supported by associations between the model and psychosomatic symptoms and sleep disturbances. A combination of interview and questionnaire increases the possibility of interpreting the association between working conditions and health and may provide a more effective basis for interventions.

Assessment of psychological and social current working conditions in epidemiological studies: experiences from the MUSIC-Norrtälje study

Background: The aim of this study was to present, evaluate and propose a tool for the assessment of psychosocial working conditions in epidemiological studies. A referent group of the large epidemiological study, the MUSIC-Norrtälje study of musculoskeletal disorders, was used. The respondents were 950 working persons (585 female and 365 male). Method: Self-administered questionnaire and personal interview were used. The responses were subjected to factor analysis. The resulting model had components generated from the demand-control-support model and action theory. Result: The result supported the use of different aspects of psychological job demands. The interview data seemed to be more related to factual exposure and the questionnaire data more to individual perception. The usefulness of the model was supported by associations between the model and psychosomatic symptoms and sleep disturbances. Conclusion : A combination of interview and questionnaire increases the possibility of interpreting the association between working conditions and health and may provide a more effective basis for interventions.

Sonographic Imaging of Hematoma: an Experimental Study in Rabbits.

Subcutaneous or intramuscular hematomas frequently occur during trauma or sports injuries. Various complications can develop if the hematoma is managed improperly. Diagnostic sonography is conventionally used in the serial study of musculoskeletal disorders because it is an inexpensive, convenient, of no radiation, and real-time dynamic study. The aim of this study was to define the sonographic characteristics of the evolution of hematoma in rabbits. Five ml of autoblood was injected into the thigh muscle of the experimental group to create an intramuscular hematoma. Sonographic images of the hematomas were recorded sequentially on days 0, 3, 5, 10, 15, 30, 40, and 50. The images revealed that the fresh hematoma was an echogenic mass. Although it gradually diminished after 3 to 5 days, the echogenicity returned with the organization or fragmentation of the hematoma. The hematoma liquefied and was absorbed about 30 days later. Information from the sonographic pictures of the intramuscular hematomas may enable clinicians to manage hematomas and reduce the number of complications effectively.

BONE AND JOINT IMAGING. ED. 2. Donald Resnick. Philadelphia, W. B. Saunders, 1996. $185.00, 1329 pp.

This is a condensation of the third edition of the six-volume Diagnosis of Bone and Joint Disorders. A Superb and Exhaustive Collaborative Treatise of the Imaging of Musculoskeletal Disorders, by Resnick and thirty-one contributing authors. The format is the same as that of the first edition, but there is much more coverage of the role of magnetic resonance imaging and other advanced imaging techniques in the study of musculoskeletal disorders. Resnick's stated purpose—to provide, in a single volume, …

Development of observational methods for estimation of exposure to workplace postural stress.

Several recent studies have illustrated the need for a simple observational instrument for the estimation of exposure to postural stress in epidemiological studies of musculoskeletal disorders. Such an instrument is particularly necessary in developing countries. This paper describes the development of an observational instrument across a spectrum of industrial occupations in South Africa. The instrument was derived from adaptations to previously published observational methods and was specifically adapted to the measurement and application constraints identified during empirical development work in various industries. The final instrument fulfilled its aims of being applicable across a broad spectrum of jobs, including a broad spectrum of exposure variables and being reasonably cost- and time-effective. Some construct validity is indicated by the fact that two out of the three main exposure variables of interest showed significant associations with neck and shoulder pain in an epidemiological analysis. These variables were the score of summed estimates of the duration of time in sustained postures in a working day and the score of estimated overall repetitiveness based on cycle-time criteria. Further investigations are needed for pain at other anatomical sites. The measurement and scoring problems identified are discussed with reference to some aspects of these results.