Musculoskeletal pain among school teachers are we underestimating its impact?

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a common occupational health condition which may significantly impact both work attendance and performance. School teachers represent an occupational group among which there appears to be a high prevalence of neck and/or shoulder pain (NSP) and low back pain (LBP). Epidemiological data on NSP and LBP in South African teachers are limited.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of NSP and LBP among primary school teachers in the Central Durban area of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; to identify predominant occupational factors associated with NSP and LBP pain; and to highlight key actions associated with such factors so as to direct future preventive measures/interventions.Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted on teachers from 12 randomly selected primary schools.Results: Among the 97 completed questionnaires, the prevalence of NSP and LBP was 80.4% and 68.0%, respectively. There was no association between age and NSP (p < 0.250) or LBP (p < 0.595). However, there were higher prevalence rates of NSP and LBP among the 45-54 years age group (39.2% and 33.0%, respectively). Factors associated with NSP included marking of assessments (56.7%; n = 55), and writing on a blackboard (39.2%; n = 38); prolonged standing was associated with LBP (83.5%; n = 81). These findings highlighted specific actions, such as forward-bending of the head for prolonged periods (61.9%; n = 60), backward-bending of the head for prolonged periods (20.6%; n = 20), and reaching/stretching with arms above chest height (41.2%; n = 40). Conclusion: Key occupational factors associated with MSP, and associated actions identified in this study can be used as a basis to direct strategies that can be applied to reduce the prevalence of MSP and the onset of MSD in teachers

Syndrome d'enraidissement articulaire secondaire au diabète sucré

Les manifestations musculosquelettiques du diabète, de type I ou de type II, sont classées en cinq catégories : le syndrome d'enraidissement articulaire, l'ostéoarthropathie nerveuse diabétique, l'augmentation du risque de fractures, les infections ostéoarticulaires et les infarctus musculaires.Le syndrome d'enraidissement articulaire comporte les pathologies suivantes : la capsulite rétractile, le syndrome du canal carpien, la cheiroarthropathie diabétique, la maladie de Dupuytren et les doigts à ressaut. Ces manifestations sont fréquentes chez les diabétiques, et méritent d'être bien connue par les endocrinologues et les rhumatologues afin d'améliorer leur prise en charge.Nous rapportons l'observation d'un patient âgé de 54 ans, diabétique de type 2 mal équilibré depuis 10 ans et qui présente une raideur des doigts

Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Pain among Timber Workers in Enugu Metropolis; Nigeria

Objective: Work related musculoskeletal disorder (WMSD) is an occupational problem which timber workers are prone to because of the nature of their job. This study sought to determine the prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal pain (WRMS pain) among timber workers in Enugu metropolis; Nigeria. Method: A cross-sectional survey design was used. A self-administered questionnaire was used as the survey instrument. Four hundred and sixteen questionnaires were duly completed and all the respondents were males. Descriptive statistics of frequency and percentages and inferential statistics of chi-square were used as appropriate for data analysis. Results: The results showed that 90.8of the timber workers have had WRMS pain once or more in their occupational lives. The twelve-month prevalence of WRMS pain was 90.1. The low back was the commonly affected body area reported by timber workers for complaints in the last twelve months. Performing the same tasks over and over (73.8); continuing to work while injured or hurt (37.8) and lifting and transferring heavy objects (31.2) were the job factors most problematic to the timber workers. Conclusion: There is an increased prevalence of WRMS pain among timber workers in Enugu metropolis with the low back being the commonly affected body area. It is therefore recommended that the conditions of working should be improved by the organization of seminars; education programmes and ergonomic intervention so as to ensure that the timber workers remain healthy and to reduce the occurrence of WRMS pain