Prevalence of Cervicalgia and Its Association with Gender, Years of Practice and BMI Among Dentists: A Cross-Sectional Study: Prevalence of Cervicalgia among Dentists

Hadia Anjum; Jizza Farooq; Mahnoor Baloch; Areeba Shahid; Unzillah Baig; Humera Ayub

doi:10.54393/tt.v6i4.250

Authors

Hadia Anjum Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Jizza Farooq Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Mahnoor Baloch Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Areeba Shahid Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Unzillah Baig Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
Humera Ayub Institute of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/tt.v6i4.250

Keywords:

Neck Pain, Ergonomics, Musculoskeletal Disorders, Dentists, Prevalence, Disability, Occupational Health, Risk Factor, Body Mass Index, Years of Practice

Abstract

Cervicalgia, is a common occupational hazard in dentistry due to the prolonged, stooped posture maintained during clinical procedures. Objective: To determine the prevalence of cervicalgia among dentists and explore its association. With gender, Body Mass Index (BMI), and years of clinical practice. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted using the Neck Disability Index (NDI) questionnaire. A sample of 147 dentists was selected through convenience sampling, with data collected from Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), School of Dentistry (SOD), and Islamabad Dental Hospital (IDH). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25.0, applying the chi-square test to evaluate associations between NDI scores and the study variables. Results: Out of 147 participants, 82 (55.8%) reported experiencing neck pain, while 65 (44.2%) did not. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between the total NDI score and BMI, years of clinical practice, and presence of neck pain (p<0.05). Conclusions: Cervicalgia is highly prevalent (55.8%) among dental professionals and is significantly associated with higher BMI and clinical experience. It poses a substantial impact on daily functioning, underscoring the urgent need for ergonomic interventions and preventive strategies such as regular physical activity and posture correction to reduce its onset.

References

Childress MA, Stuek SJ. Neck Pain: Initial Evaluation and Management. American Family Physician. 2020 Aug; 102(3): 150-6.

Tate AD, Tomlinson CA, Francis DO, Wishik ED, Lowery AS, Watkins MO et al. Physical Therapy for Muscle Tension Dysphonia with Cervicalgia. Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 2024 Aug; 103(8): 509-17. doi: 10.1177/01455613211063239.

Kazeminasab S, Nejadghaderi SA, Amiri P, Pourfathi H, Araj-Khodaei M, Sullman MJ et al. Neck Pain: Global Epidemiology, Trends and Risk Factors. BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022 Jan; 23(1): 26. doi: 10.1186/s12891-021-04957-4

Kawtharani AA, Chemeisani A, Salman F, Younes AH, Msheik A, Salman Jr F. Neck and Musculoskeletal Pain Among Dentists: A Review of the Literature. Cureus. 2023 Jan; 15(1). doi: 10.1155/2023/8528028.

Shin DW, Shin JI, Koyanagi A, Jacob L, Smith L, Lee H et al. Global, Regional, and National Neck Pain Burden in the General Population, 1990–2019: An Analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. Frontiers in Neurology. 2022 Sep; 13:955367. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2022.955367.

Ohlendorf D, Naser A, Haas Y, Haenel J, Fraeulin L, Holzgreve F et al. Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Dentists and Dental Students in Germany. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020 Dec; 17(23): 8740. Doi: 10.3390/ijerph17238740

Tariq F, Kashif M, Mehmood A, Quraishi A. Prevalence of Neck Pain and Its Effects on Activities of Daily Living Among Dentists Working in Faisalabad. Rehman Journal of Health Sciences. 2020 Jul; 2(1): 10-3. doi: 10.52442/rjhs.v2i1.28.

AlOtaibi F, Nayfeh FM, Alhussein JI, Alturki NA, Alfawzan AA. Evidence Based Analysis on Neck and Low Back Pain Among Dental Practitioners-A Systematic Review. Journal Of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences. 2022 Jul; 14(Suppl 1): S897-902. doi: 10.4103/jpbs.jpbs_92_22.

Adulyawat W, Chokechanachaisakul U, Janwantanakul P. Poor Neck Posture and Longer Working Duration During Root Canal Treatment Correlated with Increased Neck Discomfort in Dentists With< 5-Years' Experience in Endodontics. Journal of Occupational Health. 2022 Jan; 64(1): e12362. doi:10.1002/1348-9585.12362.

Macrì M, Flores NV, Stefanelli R, Pegreffi F, Festa F. Interpreting the Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pain Impacting Italian and Peruvian Dentists Likewise: A Cross-Sectional Study. Frontiers in Public Health. 2023 Feb; 11: 1090683. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1090683.

Babar RA, Sadiq A, Hussain SA, Farooq U. Work Related Neck Pain Among the Dentists Working in Islamabad & Rawalpindi; A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Gandolfi MG, Zamparini F, Spinelli A, Risi A, Prati C. Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Italian Dentists and Dental Hygienists. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021 Mar; 18(5):2705. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18052705.

Shahraki Ebrahimi H, Aghaei Soltani F, Hosseinifar M, Maserat V, Saeedi Robat M, Hojati J. Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Pains and Disability Among Dentists in Zahedan. Journal of Dentomaxillofacial Radiology, Pathology and Surgery. 2021;10(2):15-23. doi: 10.5812/zjrms.92588

Zhou Y, Zhou W, Aisaiti A, Wang B, Zhang J, Svensson P et al. Dentists Have a High Occupational Risk of Neck Disorders with Impact on Somatosensory Function and Neck Mobility. Journal of Occupational Health. 2021 Jan; 63(1). doi: 10.1002/1348-9585.12269.

Nadri H and Fasih-Ramandi F. Low Back and Neck Pain Intensity and Relationship with Disability Index Among Dentists. Journal of Occupational Health and Epidemiology. 2016; 5(4): 218-25. doi: 10.18869/acadpub.johe.5.4.218

Meisha DE, Alsharqawi NS, Samarah AA, Al-Ghamdi MY. Prevalence of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders and Ergonomic Practice Among Dentists in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dentistry. 2019 Jul: 171-9. doi: 10.2147/CCIDE.S204433.

Almeida MB, Moreira M, Miranda-Oliveira P, Moreira J, Família C, Vaz JR et al. Evolving Dynamics of Neck Muscle Activation Patterns in Dental Students: A Longitudinal Study. Sensors. 2024 Sep; 24(17): 5689. doi: 10.3390/s24175689.

Holzgreve F, Fraeulin L, Maurer-Grubinger C, Betz W, Erbe C, Weis T et al. Effects of Resistance Training as a Behavioural Preventive Measure on Musculoskeletal Complaints, Maximum Strength and Ergonomic Risk in Dentists and Dental Assistants. Sensors. 2022 Oct; 22(20): 8069. doi: 10.3390/s22208069.

Saccucci M, Zumbo G, Mercuri P, Pranno N, Sotero S, Zara F, Vozza I. Musculoskeletal Disorders Related to Dental Hygienist Profession. International Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2022 Aug; 20(3): 571-9. doi: 10.1111/idh.12596

Sezer B, Kartal S, Sıddıkoğlu D, Kargül B. Association Between Work-Related Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Quality of Life Among Dental Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Bio Medical Center Musculoskeletal Disorders. 2022 Jan; 23(1): 41. doi: 10.1186/s12891-022-04998-3.

Younis U, Shakoor A, Chaudhary FA, Din SU, Sajjad S, Younis M et al. Work‐Related Musculoskeletal Disorders And their Associated Risk Factors Among Pakistani Dental Practitioners: A Cross‐Sectional Study. Biomed Research International. 2022; 2022(1): 4099071. doi: 10.1155/2022/4099071

Rickert C, Fels U, Gosheger G, Kalisch T, Liem D, Klingebiel S et al. Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Diseases of the Upper Extremity Among Dental Professionals in Germany. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy. 2021 Sep: 3755-66. doi: 10.2147/RMHP.S316795.

Kashif M, Ijaz S, Albalwi AA, Sahir S, Khalid I, Quraishi A. Prevalence of Neck Pain snd Associated Risk Factors in the Dentists Working in‎ Lahore, Pakistan‎. Rawal Medical Journal. 2021 Dec; 46(2): 364-7.