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BackgroundCOVID-19 infection has revealed a considerable number of extra-pulmonary manifestations, especially rheumatological. The detection of these manifestations, which herald the infection, is of great value in the early diagnosis of the disease, especially in health care workers (HCWs) who are at considerable risk of infection. Although myalgia is a common clinical feature of COVID-19, other musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have been rarely described.ObjectivesTo describe MSDs during SARS-COV2 infection in HCWs.MethodsProspective descriptive study conducted at the department of occupational pathology and fitness for work of Charles Nicolle Hospital in Tunis, having included the HCWs affected by COVID-19 during the period from 01 September 2020 to 28 February 2021. Data collection was carried out by regular telephone follow-up during the containment period using a pre-established form.ResultsDuring the study period, 656 HCWs were infected with SARS COV 2, of whom 134 (20.4%) had at least one musculoskeletal event. The mean age was 42±9 years with a sex ratio (M/F) of 0.2. The most represented occupational category was nurses (33.6%) followed by health technicians (23.1%). The median professional length of service was 12 [7;20] years. The presence of comorbidity was noted in 58.2% of HCWs. A pre-existing osteoarticular disease was found in 8.2% of cases. Obesity was noted in 25.4% of the population. Active smoking was reported by 14.3% of respondents. A known vitamin D deficiency was noted in 16.5% of patients. Spinal pain was the most reported MSD, present in 87.3% of cases. Low back pain was the most frequent spinal pain (56.7%) followed by back pain (37.4%) and neck pain (5.9%). MSDs of the lower limbs were found in 12.7% of patients. They were represented by gonalgia in 11.9% of cases, ankle pain in 5.2% of cases and hip pain in 4.3% of cases. MSDs of the upper limbs were described by 7.5% of the patients, 92.5% of whom presented with shoulder pain. The median duration of MSDs during COVID-19 was 5 [3;8] days. These manifestations were persistent on return to work in 21.1% of cases.ConclusionKnowledge of the frequency and consequences of musculoskeletal manifestations related to COVID-19 infection is of great importance, particularly in HCWs, in order to optimise management and ensure a rapid return to work.REFERENCES:NIL.Acknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.
RESUMEN
BackgroundIn Tunisia, during the last decade, the number of MSDs declared as compensable occupational diseases has been increasing. So, what is the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the MSD reporting rate.ObjectivesTo describe the socio-professional characteristics of workers with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and to determine the reporting rate of MSDs as occupational diseases.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional study among workers with work-related MSDs who consulted the occupational medicine department of the Charles Nicolle Hospital for medical advice between January 2021 and September 2022.ResultsA total of 109 workers with MSDs were included in this study. The workers were 64.2% female. The average age was 46 ± [21-61 years]. The sectors most prone to MSDs were the health sector (27.5%), food processing (16.5%) and textiles (15.6%). The workers reported MSDs of the upper limb in 31.2%, MSDs of the lower limb in 33.9% and of the spine in 69.7%. These MSDs reported included 5/13 cases of rotator cuff tendinopathy, 6/13 cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, one case of achilles tendonitis and one case of Dequervain's tenosynovitis.ConclusionDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, the reporting of MSDs as occupational diseases has declined considerably. This decline can be explained by the difficult access to hospital facilities.References[1]https://www.emro.who.int/emhj-volume-23-2017/volume-23-issue-11/prevalence-et-determinants-des-troubles-musculo-squelettiques-des-membres-superieurs-chez-les-artisans-tunisiens.html.[2]http://medecinetravail.canalblog.com/archives/2011/10/04/22196851.htmlAcknowledgements:NIL.Disclosure of InterestsNone Declared.