Authors : Saeid Khosrawi, Alireza Rahimi, Babak Vahdatpour, Farnaz Dabiri Skouie and Omid Mashrabi
Abstract: Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (WMSDs) are common health problems and an important cause of disability among working groups including physicians. The aim of this study was to investigate the 12 months period prevalence of WMSDs in cardiologists. The study was conducted on Isfahan cardiologists’ population from whom 30 cardiologists entered the study. Researchers took a photograph using digital camera when they were performing echocardiography. Data analyzed using Quick Exposure Check (QEC) for assessing exposure to WMSDs related risk factors. The 12 months prevalence rates of WMSDs in cardiologists were highest in the lower back and neck (20%). Individual anatomical prevalence rate was high in the cases who were >40 years old compared with <40 (p = 0.6). There were no significant relation between anatomical regions pain and sex (p = 0.5), total working hours (p = 0.3) and echocardiography practice hours (p = 0.08). There was significant relation between types of shoulder exposure risks and age groups (p = 0.05). WMSDs among cardiologists were not related to advanced age and echocardiography practice hours. However, researchers recommend conducting further studies with more cases in future in order to determine relation between WMSDs and other risk factors in cardiologists, particularly in whom performing angiography as well as echocardiography.
Saeid Khosrawi, Alireza Rahimi, Babak Vahdatpour, Farnaz Dabiri Skouie and Omid Mashrabi, 2011. Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Cardiologists. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 6: 170-174.