Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent a significant occupational problem. Only limited research is available about the impact of MSD on the active Calligraphers. Uncertainty remains about MSD prevalence and associated factors among Arabic calligraphers in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 124 Arabic calligraphers in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected by telephonic interviews using a structured questionnaire that consisted of the validated Standardized Nordic Questionnaire, socio-demographics and working characteristics. A total of 124 completed questionnaires were analyzed. The majority were men (96.8 %), worked for less than 10 hours/week (63.7%). The majority had musculoskeletal pain (59.7%) and about half of them worked for less than 15 years. The most commonly reported MSD was back pain (26.6%) followed by neck pain (21.0%) and shoulder pain (12.1%). In multiple logistic regression the significant predictors in the model were: not exercising (OR=7.1, 95% CI 2.6-19.2), age ≤40 (OR=2.8, 95% CI 1.1- 7.3), worked for ≤20 years (OR=3.4, 95% CI 1.3 -9.1) and being a professional calligrapher (OR=2.3, 95% CI 1.1 – 6.2). The total model is significant (p<0.001) and the adjusted r square= 0.37.MSDs among Arabic calligraphers in Saudi Arabia is relatively high; further clinical assessment is needed. We recommend that health authority in Saudi Arabia should increase the awareness among calligraphers about MSDs and its prevention.
Musculoskeletal disorders ; calligraphers ; Saudi Arabia

Musculoskeletal Discomfort And Its Associated Risk Factors Among Train Drivers This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among train drivers in Kuala Lumpur. In this cross-sectional study, 44 train drivers were interviewed using a self-administered questionnaire consists of socio-demographic information and occupational exposure; and a modified Nordic Standardised Questionnaire for questions related to musculoskeletal discomfort symptoms. Results showed that lower back (18.6%) are the most reported discomfort among train drivers, followed by neck (16.7%), knee (13.7%), and upper back (13.7%). Statistical analysis using Chi-square showed there is a significant association between discomfort in the neck with age (p<0.05), length of service (p<0.05), and the perception of driver’s seat comfort and suitability (P<0.001). Previous working experience, driving duration, and shift work were associated with shoulder, wrist and thigh discomfort. This study suggested that further investigation and early control measure need to be done to prevent the risk of the musculoskeletal problem among train drivers.
musculoskeletal disorders ; occupational hazards ; ergonomics ; freight ; cargo ; locomotive ; prevalence.

Hypomelanosis of Ito was first described by Ito in 1952 as incontinentia pigmenti achromians. The consistent feature of the disease is a characteristic cutaneous hypopigmentation following the lines of Blaschko, and associated extracutaneous manifestations include anomalies of the central nervous system, eye and musculoskeletal system. It is a sporadic condition and more than half of patients are found to have chromosomal abnormalities, such as mosaicism. It has been suggested that hypomelanosis of Ito is not a single condition, but rather a nonspecific manifestation of chromosomal mosaicism. We report a case of a 6 year-old girl with hypomelanosis of Ito with diploid/triploid mosaicism (46, XX/69, XXX). She did not show any other extracutaneous symptoms, except a mild developmental delay. Hypopigmented lesions showed a gradual improvement but new hyperpigmented, brownish macules developed within hypopigmented lesions without any treatment.
Central Nervous System ; Child ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Female ; Humans ; Hypopigmentation* ; Mosaicism* ; Musculoskeletal System ; Pigmentation Disorders

There is increasing attention to medical problems of musicians. Many studies find a high prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in musicians, ranging from 73.4% to 87.7%, and string players have the highest prevalence of musculoskeletal problems. This paper examines the various positions and movements of the upper extremities in string players: 1) basic postures for holding instruments, 2) movements of left upper extremity: fingering, forearm posture, high position and vibrato, 3) movements of right upper extremity: bowing, bow angles, pizzicato and other bowing techniques. These isotonic and isometric movements can lead to musculoskeletal problems in musicians. We reviewed orthopedic disorders that are specific to string players: overuse syndrome, muscle-tendon syndrome, focal dystonia, hypermobility syndrome, and compressive neuropathy. Symptoms, interrelationships with musical performances, diagnosis and treatment of these problems were then discussed.
Cumulative Trauma Disorders/*etiology ; Humans ; Musculoskeletal Diseases/*etiology ; *Music ; Neuromuscular Diseases ; Occupational Diseases/*etiology

Child, Preschool ; Constipation ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Substance-Related Disorders ; complications

Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Musculoskeletal Manipulations ; Sleep Wake Disorders ; therapy ; Wakefulness

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 116 male pre-cast construction workers in Sipitang, Sabah to evaluate the association between Ergonomic Risk Level exposure and their working performances for 6 months (June to November 2014). Initially, a structured interview using a modified-Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was conducted on each study subject to determine the prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs). The results showed that 93 out of 116 subjects (80.17%) complained of experiencing ache, pain or body discomfort during and after work with high percentage of MSDs prevalence affecting the wrist (78.5%), shoulder (73.1%), and lower leg (71.0%) regions of the body. Pictures and videos of workers performing their routine tasks were analyzed using Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) tool to generate individual Ergonomic Risk Level classification. The results showed that all subjects were exposed to Medium (56.90%), High (29.31%) and Very High (13.79%) level of Ergonomic Risk. Pearson Correlation and One-way ANOVA test was conducted to determine the association between Ergonomic Risk Level and the subjects’ individual working performances. The results indicated that there was a significant negative association between Ergonomic Risk Level and the workers' performances in terms of tendency to work overtime (p<.001, r=-.55) and the frequency of taking unpaid leaves (p=.038, r=.56). In conclusion, continuous exposure to significant Ergonomic Risk Level among the pre-cast construction workers has triggered the development of MSDs which eventually affected their working performances.
Pre-cast construction ; Ergonomic Risk Level ; Rapid Entire Body Assessment ; Musculoskeletal Disorders ; Working Performances.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between insomnia (INS) combined with chronic musculoskeletal pain (MSP) in postmenopausal women and its characteristics regarding MSP, menopausal and mood symptoms, sleep and quality of life (QOL). METHODS: A cross-sectional control study in 4 groups of postmenopausal women: control (n = 15), MSP (n = 15), INS (n =15) and INS + MSP (n = 17). Sixty-two participants completed questionnaires and had blood collected, and 43 underwent polysomnography. RESULTS: INS was associated with increased anxiety (P = 0.04) and sleep fragmentation (P = 0.02); worse MSP severity (P = 0.00), MSP interference with daily function (P = 0.00), higher pain intensity at midday (P = 0.02) and menopausal symptoms (P = 0.00); and reduced QOL (P = 0.00). MSP was associated with increased anxiety (P = 0.02) and menopausal symptoms (P = 0.00), and reduced QOL (P = 0.05). In the whole sample, depression symptoms were higher but no statistical differences were found between groups (P = 0.47). Worse QOL was associated with both higher depressive symptoms (P = 0.01) and worse pain interference (P = 0.02) CONCLUSIONS: INS + MSP was related to higher menopausal and anxiety symptoms, more sleep fragmentation and complaints of MSP severity and interference, more pain sites and worse QOL. The presence of INS was associated to more MSP. Sleep management is essential in women who have developed chronic MSP.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Musculoskeletal Pain ; Polysomnography ; Postmenopause ; Quality of Life ; Sleep Deprivation ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) among spine surgeons. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A modified version of discomfort survey was sent via e-mail to surgeons that belong to the Korean Society of Spine Surgery. The survey questionnaires were composed of demographics, factors relating to spine surgery, and MSD. We investigated the common sites of occurrence of MSD and its risk factors. RESULTS: The survey was sent to a total of 420 subjects; of which, 80 subjects (19.0%) responded. About 78.8% of the respondents had MSD for the past year. The common sites of occurrence included the neck (52.5%), back (46.3%), and shoulder (18.8%). The prevalence of pain in the elbow joint/forearm was higher in the group performing a higher frequency of spine surgeries (p=0.033). Moreover, the prevalence of pain in the wrist/hand (p=0.008) and in the back (p=0.042) was higher in those with greater frequency of major surgeries (>10 case/year) as compared with those with lower frequency of major surgeries. CONCLUSION: As shown, about 78.8% of spine surgeons experienced MSD for the past one year. Its prevalence was higher as compared with the general population. Thus, more attention should be paid to the prevention of MSD among spine surgeons.
Cumulative Trauma Disorders ; Demography ; Elbow ; Electronic Mail ; Musculoskeletal Diseases ; Neck ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Shoulder ; Spine* ; Surgeons* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

We experienced musculoskeletal pain by somatization symptom and steroid myopathy in Cushing syndrome (adrenal adenoma) and hereby report this case. A 53-year old woman visited to clinic with chief complain of severe sole pain and tingling sensation (VAS 8.0) and multiple arthralgia (VAS 6.0) since 3 years ago. On examination, she showed severe depressive mood disorder, weakness of proximal limbs and other features of Cushing syndrome. The electromyelographic findings showed atypical type of myopathy without peripheral polyneuropathy. On laboratory examination, overnight and low dose dexamethasone suppression test was positive. The adrenal CT showed finding of left adrenal adenoma. After diagnosed of Cushing syndrome, laparoscopic adrenalectomy was done. The patient's severe pain and tingling sensation were immediately improved (VAS 3.0) concurrently with improvement of depressive mood following surgery. We concluded that the pain was originated from somatization symptom.
Adenoma ; Adrenalectomy ; Arthralgia ; Cushing Syndrome ; Dexamethasone ; Extremities ; Female ; Humans ; Mood Disorders ; Muscular Diseases ; Musculoskeletal Pain ; Polyneuropathies ; Sensation