Lifestyle-Factors in Adolescence as Predictors of Number of Musculoskeletal Pain Sites in Adulthood: A 17-Year Follow-Up Study of a Birth Cohort

Traumatic muscle injury

Traumatic muscle injury represents a collection of skeletal muscle pathologies caused by trauma to the muscle tissue and is defined as damage to the muscle tissue that can result in a functional deficit. Traumatic muscle injury can affect people across the lifespan and can result from high stresses and strains to skeletal muscle tissue, often due to muscle activation while the muscle is lengthening, resulting in indirect and non-contact muscle injuries (strains or ruptures), or from external impact, resulting in direct muscle injuries (contusion or laceration). At a microscopic level, muscle fibres can repair focal damage but must be completely regenerated after full myofibre necrosis. The diagnosis of muscle injury is based on patient history and physical examination. Imaging may be indicated to eliminate differential diagnoses. The management of muscle injury has changed within the past 5 years from initial rest, immobilization and (over)protection to early activation and progressive loading using an active approach. One challenge of muscle injury management is that numerous medical treatment options, such as medications and injections, are often used or proposed to try to accelerate muscle recovery despite very limited efficacy evidence. Another challenge is the prevention of muscle injury owing to the multifactorial and complex nature of this injury.

Family structure and multisite musculoskeletal pain in adolescence: a Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 study

BACKGROUND

Family structure is suggested to be associated with adolescent pain, but evidence on its association with multisite MS pain is sparse. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the potential associations between family structure ('single-parent family', 'reconstructed family', and 'two-parent family') and multisite musculoskeletal (MS) pain in adolescence.

METHODS

The dataset was based on the 16-year-old Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1986 adolescents with available data on family structure, multisite MS pain, and a potential confounder (n = 5,878). The associations between family structure and multisite MS pain were analyzed with binomial logistic regression and modelled as unadjusted, as the evaluated potential confounder, mother's educational level, did not meet the criteria for a confounder.

RESULTS

Overall, 13% of the adolescents had a 'single-parent family' and 8% a 'reconstructed family'. Adolescents living in a single-parent family had 36% higher odds of multisite MS pain compared to adolescents from two-parent families (the reference) (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.36, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.17 to 1.59). Belonging to a 'reconstructed family' was associated with 39% higher odds of multisite MS pain (OR 1.39, 1.14 to 1.69).

CONCLUSION

Family structure may have a role in adolescent multisite MS pain. Future research is needed on causality between family structure and multisite MS pain, to establish if there is a need for targeted support.

Neck and shoulder pain in adolescents seldom occur alone: Results from the Norwegian Ungdata Survey

BACKGROUND

No previous studies have investigated the prevalence of co-occurring neck/shoulder pain, other musculoskeletal pain, headache and depressive symptoms in adolescents. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of isolated neck/shoulder pain and the co-occurrence of neck/shoulder pain with other musculoskeletal pain, headache and depressive symptoms in Norwegian adolescents.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study using data from the Norwegian Ungdata survey (2017-2019). Adolescents from almost all municipalities in Norway answered a comprehensive questionnaire, including physical complaints. We investigated the prevalence of self-reported neck/shoulder pain in isolation and neck/shoulder pain in combination with other musculoskeletal pain, headache and depressive symptoms. The results were presented with per cent and stratified by school level and sex.

RESULTS

In total, 253,968 adolescents (50% girls) participated in the study, of which 56.5% were from lower secondary school. The total prevalence of neck/shoulder pain was 24%, but only 5% reported isolated neck/shoulder pain. Among students reporting neck/shoulder pain, half of them also reported other musculoskeletal pain, and 50% of the boys and 70% of the girls reported co-occurring headache. Depressive symptoms were reported in 28% of the boys and 45% of the girls with neck/shoulder pain.

CONCLUSION

Neck/shoulder pain in adolescents is seldom isolated, but seems to co-occur with headache, other musculoskeletal pain and depressive symptoms. Researchers and clinicians should keep a broader health perspective in mind when approaching adolescents with neck/shoulder pain.

SIGNIFICANCE

One in five adolescents reported neck/shoulder pain in this large population-based study of Norwegian adolescents. A majority of adolescents reported neck/shoulder pain in co-occurrence with other musculoskeletal pain, headache and depression. Researchers and clinicians should assess these comorbidities when assessing adolescents with neck/shoulder pain.

Prevalence of multisite pain and association with work ability - Cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Multisite pain (MSP) has been studied among the working population because it is associated with reduced work ability. In Brazil, studies have investigated pain without addressing MSP and its interference with work ability.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of MSP among Brazilian workers from different occupations and to associate MSP with work ability.

METHODS

Participants in the BRAzilian eValuation of Occupational health (BRAVO) database were analysed. The BRAVO database contains information about personal data, musculoskeletal symptoms (Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire), occupational stress (Job Content Questionnaire) and work ability (Work Ability Index). The studies were approved by the Ethics Committee and all participants signed an informed consent form. Data were analysed using logistic and linear regression. Sex, age, comorbidities (hypertension, mild emotional disorder and gastritis), type of work (blue and white-collar) and occupational stress were included as covariates of the regression models.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MSP was 58% (95% CI = 53-62%) among the total sample, 57% (95% CI = 52-62%) in white-collar and 53% (95% CI = 40-66%) among blue-collar workers. The presence of MSP increases the chance of low work ability between 1.8 and 5.1 times. A dose-response relationship was found, with the increase in each pain site causing a reduction of 0.9-1.2 points in the work ability index.

CONCLUSIONS

MSP is highly prevalent among Brazilian workers and should be addressed due to its impact on reducing work ability.

Preventive factors against work-related musculoskeletal disorders: narrative review

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are major causes of morbidity among workers. They comprise several signs and symptoms, as e.g. pain, paresthesia, fatigue and limited range of motion, which can be related to work tasks. Workplace-related factors include physical, psychological, social and biomechanical hazards. The main kinetic factors associated with MSDs include repetitive movements, exerting excessive force, awkward postures, compression and mechanical vibration. Accurate knowledge of epidemiological aspects, evaluation of ergonomic hazards and musculoskeletal symptoms, and workplace exercise may help reduce the occurrence of MSDs. The aim of the present review is to analyze the applicability of preventive strategies against MSDs among workers. We performed a narrative review based on a survey of databases PubMed and BIREME and included studies published in English, Spanish or Portuguese. We found that workplace exercise is beneficial for both employers and workers. Risk analysis of MSDs is essential for early identification of occupational hazards and to prevent health consequences and costs associated with absenteeism.

Musculoskeletal problems and attitudes towards footwear among university students

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Footwear preferences and habits may be related to musculoskeletal system problems. This study was designed to determine the relationship between the selection of footwear, musculoskeletal problems and the affecting factors among university students from that different division.

METHODS

Four hundred and sixty-six university students in the divisions of Physiotherapy Rehabilitation, Nursing and Business Administration participated in this study. The data was collected using a questionnaire developed by the researchers and the Extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.

RESULTS

Of the participants, 68.5% preferred to wear sports shoes; 24.0% of the participants had foot pain. Comfort, robustness and quality come to the fore in the behavioural patterns of young and healthy individuals regarding footwear. Those who experienced foot and lower back pain considered such parameters as quality, fitness for foot health, flexibility and lightness in footwear.

CONCLUSIONS

While patterns such as foot health, flexibility and lightness are reflected in the footwear preferences of those who have lower back pain, those who have pain or problems in their feet take into consideration the quality, lightness, fitness to foot health. The relationship determined in the present study shows that those who experience pain are more selective in their footwear preferences.