Ann Occup Environ Med.  2014 ;26(1):21-21. 10.1186/s40557-014-0021-4.

Co morbidities of Myofascial Neck Pain among Information Technology Professionals

• Mohandoss
• Sharan D
• Ranganathan R
• Jose J

• KMID: 2153906
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-014-0021-4

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The objective of this study was to identify the musculoskeletal co-morbidities of neck pain of myofascial origin among IT professionals.
METHODS
A retrospective report analysis of 5357 IT professionals from various IT companies in India was conducted. Demographic details, type and intensity of the musculoskeletal problems, employee feedbacks on status of musculoskeletal health and physician's diagnosis were analysed. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the age, gender, body area affected and nature of work. Chi square test was used to find the association between musculoskeletal co-morbidities and myofascial neck pain (MNP).
RESULTS
The study participants were predominantly males (71%). 41% of the population used laptops, 35% desktops and 24% both. Neck pain was the commonest reported symptom, followed by low back, shoulder and arm pain respectively. Statistical analysis also revealed that low back pain and shoulder pain, had a significant association with neck pain. Further analysis revealed that there was a significant association between the presence of MNP and thoracic outlet syndrome (p < 0.001) and fibromyalgia syndrome (p < 0.001). Other than the listed co-morbidities, eye strain was also found to be associated with MNP.
CONCLUSIONS
Low back pain and shoulder pain was found to be co morbid symptoms noted among IT professionals with MNP. Thoracic outlet syndrome and fibromyalgia were found to be the most commonly associated disorders with MNP among IT professionals.

Keyword

Neck pain; Co-morbidities; Low back pain; Thoracic outlet syndrome; Fibromyalgia; Myofascial pain syndrome

MeSH Terms

Arm
Diagnosis
Fibromyalgia
Humans
India
Low Back Pain
Male
Myofascial Pain Syndromes
Neck Pain*
Neck*
Retrospective Studies
Shoulder
Shoulder Pain
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome