Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders and postural assessment during endoscopy and colonoscopy among gastroenterologists in Isfahan city, Iran

Abstract

Background: Gastroenterologists may be susceptible to various musculoskeletal disorders in the absence of proper position, because of working in various positions in offices and hospitals. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the posture and musculoskeletal disorders among gastroenterologists in Isfahan city, Iran. Methods: Three methods of posture evaluating are self-report, observational method and direct measurement. Based on studies, the validity and reliability of the observational method is more than others. In this study, gastroenterologists’ postures during endoscopy and colonoscopy were analyzed using two observational methods of Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Ovako Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS). They also completed Nordic questionnaire for assessment of musculoskeletal disorders. Findings: Based on OWAS, the posture risk was 1 in 22.2 and 2 in 77.8 of gastroenterologists; while based on RULA, this risk was 4 in 38.9, 5 in 38.9 and 6 in 22.2 of them. Musculoskeletal disorders had a direct relationship with the level of risk based on RULA, but had no significant association with the level of risk based on OWAS. The level of risk based on RULA had a direct relationship with the number of procedures per day. In addition, the rate of musculoskeletal disorders had a direct relationship with the number of procedures per day and body mass index (BMI). The level of risk based on RULA had a direct relationship with incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, upper back and knees. Conclusion: Musculoskeletal disorders are highly prevalent among gastroenterologists in Isfahan city. Postural analysis results showed that the risk of incidence of these disorders is to a large extent, too. High body mass index was one of the factors contributing to the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. Since about half of the target group were overweight, losing weight can help to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal disorders. In addition, the high number of procedures per day increases the risk of posture and musculoskeletal problems simultaneously. So, reducing the number of procedures or increasing the rest time between appointments, discontinuous endoscopy and colonoscopy, increasing precision and accurate positioning and using Tele-Robotic techniques instead of manually ones, would be effective for gastroenterologists that have more workload. © 2017, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences(IUMS). All rights reserved.