Association between daily commute and subjective health complaints among the office workers in an urban community

The effect of commuting time on burnout: the mediation effect of musculoskeletal pain

OBJECTIVES

This study explores the relationship among commuting, musculoskeletal (MS) pain, and burnout.

METHODS

An observational and cross-sectional study was conducted at a medical university-affiliated hospital in Taichung, Taiwan in 2021. The two questionnaire was used and they included the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ). All participants were invited to complete the cross-sectional survey. A multiple linear regression was assessed correlations between commuting, MS pain, and burnout.

RESULTS

After excluding those with missing data, 1,615 healthcare workers were deemed valid as research participants. In multiple linear regression, commuting time longer than 50 min was associated with personal burnout (PB) in the presence of adjusted confounders; however, long commuting time was not associated with work-related burnout (WB). Furthermore, the choice of commuting method did not affect PB or WB. Notably, both neck and shoulder pain (NBSP) and ankle pain (BAP) increase the risk of PB and WB. The mediation analysis demonstrated that NBSP is a mediating factor, increasing the level of PB and WB for commuting times longer than 50 min.

CONCLUSIONS

Healthcare workers who commute for more than 50 min should be considered part of a high-risk group for burnout and musculoskeletal pain. They should also be provided with resources and programs focused on burnout prevention and MS pain relief.

Musculoskeletal health complaints: A growing concern that should be investigated elaborately in Bangladesh

Evidence from the past few decades suggests that the most increases in disability-related musculoskeletal health complaints (MHC) have occurred in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). Past studies identified long sitting, higher commute time to the office, and traffic congestion predictors of MHC in Bangladesh. Additionally, post-acute COVID-19 patients reported MHC at a higher rate in Bangladesh. Further studies are needed to recommend exclusive initiatives from authorities to tackle the upcoming tsunami of MHC in LMICs, for example, in Bangladesh.

SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with low back pain: findings from a community-based case-control study

OBJECTIVES

Pain is a significant complaint of patients with postacute COVID-19 syndrome; however, little is known about the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and pain. This study aimed to (1) examine the association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and low back pain (LBP) and (2) identify independent predictors of LBP among survivors of COVID-19.

METHODS

This case-control study involved 878 participants aged ≥18 years. Data were collected from February 24 to April 7, 2022, in Bangladesh. LBP was measured using the musculoskeletal subscale of subjective health complaints produced by Eriksen et al. Descriptive analysis was performed to compute LBP prevalence and compare the prevalence across groups. Multiple logistic analyses helped to identify the predictors of LBP for survivors of COVID-19.

RESULTS

Overall, 20% of participants reported LBP; however, the prevalence of LBP was significantly high among patients with postacute COVID-19 compared with their counterparts (24.4% vs 15.7%, P = 0.001). Regression analysis for all participants suggested that SARS-CoV-2 infection was independently associated with LBP (adjusted odds ratio 1.837, 95% confidence interval 1.253-2.692). However, moderate COVID-19 symptom (adjusted odds ratio 1.754, 95% confidence interval 0.984-3.126) was the only statistically significant predictor of LBP among postacute COVID-19 patients.

CONCLUSION

SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with LBP, and moderate COVID-19 symptom was an independently associated factor of LBP. The health care facilities must be prepared to deal with the burden of LBP among patients with postacute COVID-19.

Factors associated with vitamin D deficiency among patients with musculoskeletal disorders seeking physiotherapy intervention: a hospital-based observational study

Background

A considerable number of studies have suggested that there is a strong correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D or vitamin D levels and overall health, with reported impacts ranging from mental health and vital organ health to musculoskeletal health. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and identify its associated factors among patients with musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) currently seeking medical attention.

Methods

A total of 143 patients with MSDs were randomly selected for blood sample collection to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of the study participants. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to compute the adjusted odds ratio.

Results

Overall, 53.1% of patients had vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent among patients with higher body mass index, a bachelor’s degree, lower sun exposure time, and lower serum calcium levels and those living in an urban setting. The multiple logistic regression model suggested that the duration of weekly sun exposure and living location were the independent predictors of vitamin D deficiency.

Conclusion

It is recommended for patients with MSDs to participate in routine physical exercise, consume calcium- and vitamin D-enriched foods, and have regular sun exposure for minimizing the risk of vitamin D deficiency.