Latent class-derived patterns of musculoskeletal disorders in sedentary workers and chair ergonomic design.

Objectives. This study aimed to define specific patterns of multisite musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in office employees and to examine how derived patterns relate to ergonomic chair design. Methods. This cross-sectional study of 254 office employees extracted major patterns of MSDs using latent class analysis and investigated the association with ergonomic chair design. Results. Four major patterns of MSDs were extracted using latent class analysis: class 1 (12.1%), individuals with high probabilities of MSDs in the neck, shoulders, back and wrists; class 2 (35.6%), individuals with near-zero probabilities of MSDs across all sites; class 3 (14.1%), those with high probabilities of complaints in the back, hips and knees; class 4 (38.2%), those with high probabilities of MSDs across all sites. Considering class 2 as the reference, there was an inverse significant association between seat comfort and membership in class 3 (odds ratio [OR] 0.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.89, 0.99]) and class 4 OR 0.94, 95% CI [0.91, 0.98], and a significant inverse relationship between body support and membership in class 4 OR 0.95, 95% CI [0.92, 0.99]. Conclusion. MSDs can be summarized with latent class-derived patterns among office workers. Ergonomic chair design was significantly associated with type of MSD patterns.

Association of derived patterns of musculoskeletal disorders with psychological problems: a latent class analysis.

BACKGROUND: Musculoskeletal symptoms often occur in more than one anatomical site. The present study aimed to define specific patterns of multisite musculoskeletal disorders and examine how these patterns are related to common psychological problems. METHODS: Using the data from an interview-based health survey of 358 samples of the industrial manufacturing male employees, we derived major patterns of musculoskeletal complaints using latent class analysis and investigated its association with psychological problems score extracted from depression, anxiety, and stress measured by Depression/Anxiety/Stress Scale (DASS-21). Musculoskeletal disorders were assessed by Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). The statistical analysis was carried out by Mplus 8. RESULTS: Complaints in the lower back (42.1%) and neck (30.7%) had the highest prevalence, and in the hip (15.0%) and ankle (12.2%) the lowest. Three major patterns of musculoskeletal disorders were extracted using latent class analysis. Class 1 (12.9%) was characterized by a high rate of complaints in upper musculoskeletal sites, such as the neck, shoulder, and joints; class 2 (38.2%) was identified by a higher rate of complaints in the lower and upper back; and class 3 (48.9%) was marked by low rates of complaints in all musculoskeletal sites. After adjustment for confounding variables and specifying class 3 as the reference, it turned out that there was a statistically significant association between the psychological problems score and the chance of being in class 1 (OR = 2.47, 95% CI 1.66-3.68), but not a significant association with the chance of being in class 2 (OR = 1.51, 95% CI 0.83-2.72). CONCLUSION: Musculoskeletal disorders can be summarized in the latent class-derived patterns in the adult study population and provide additional prognostics. Common psychological problems are significantly associated with the type of musculoskeletal disorder patterns. The findings in this study could be useful for dealing with prevention and treatment programs.