Affiliations: [a] International Centre for Research Promotion and Informatics, Japan National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Kawasaki, Japan | [b] National Institute of Occupational Health and Poison Control, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China | [c] National Institute of Nutrition and Food Safety, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, China
Correspondence:
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Address for correspondence: Dr. Derek R. Smith, International Centre for Research Promotion and Informatics, Japan National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, 6-21-1 Nagao, Tama-Ku, Kawasaki 214-8585, Japan. Tel.: +81 44 865 6111; Fax: +81 44 865 6124; E-mail: smith@h.jniosh.go.jp
Abstract: Although musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) represent an important occupational issue worldwide, surprisingly few investigations have been conducted among white-collar workers in Mainland China. The current study examined MSD and their after-effects among 334 health professionals in Beijing, by means of an anonymous questionnaire (response rate: 99.4%). Of the respondents, 92.2% reported an MSD occurring in the previous 12 months, with the neck (72.2%), shoulder and lower back (59.9% each) being the most commonly affected body sites. Fifty-six percent of all MSD had persisted > 24 hours, 23.0% had interfered with their work ability and 15.9% required medical treatment. MSD of the hand/wrist and MSD of the shoulders were the most likely to last > 24 hours. MSD of the lower back, upper legs or hand/wrist were all associated with a reduction of work ability. Medical treatment was more likely to have been sought for MSD of the lower back or knees, when compared to other body sites. Females were five times more likely to report an MSD at any body site, while tobacco smokers were three times more likely to have sought medical treatment for an MSD. Overall, this study suggests that MSD are becoming an increasingly important cause of functional disability among white-collar workers in China. As some significant correlations were found during statistical analysis, further research should now investigate the complicity of various factors on MSD development within this emerging Chinese demographic.
Keywords: Musculoskeletal disorders, after-effects, China, low back pain, functional disability
