CORRELATION BETWEEN MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG STUDENTS AT THE COLLEGE OF DENTAL MEDICINE

B. Alkhatib1, F. Jehan1, S. Almazrouee1, S. Jehan1, A. Ahbouch1, M. Kim1
1University of Sharjah, Physiotherapy, Health Sciences, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are common problems among dentists. These conditions may lead to faulty postures and impairment in physical function. On the other hand, poor postures and inappropriate ergonomic may result in a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders and decrease quality of life (QOL).

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to determine if there is a correlation between musculoskeletal pain (MSP) and particular quality of life (QOL) components such as emotional status, social interaction and physical activity among undergraduate students at the College of Dental Medicine (CDM), University of Sharjah (UOS), United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 121 undergraduate students were surveyed at the CDM, UOS. Data were collected using Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36), extended Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ-E) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Results: There was significant correlation between overall QOL and VAS. The most common sites of pain were neck (n=38, 69 %), followed by low back (n=60, 50%), shoulder (n=56, 46%), upper back (n=50, 41%), and the wrist (n=33, 27%). According to NMQ-E, majority of the participants (n=68, 56.2%) suffered from pain in multiple areas of the body (≥ 3 body areas); while 15.7% (n=19) of the participants had no pain at all.

Conclusion(s): There was a significant correlation between overall SF36 and VAS in dental students. However, no significant correlation was shown between particular components of SF36 and VAS. It may suggest further study should be investigated to confirm the finding with bigger sample size.

Implications: There was a significant correlation between QOL and pain in dental students.

Funding, acknowledgements: None. No funding to declare.

Keywords: Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders, Musculoskeletal Pain, Quality of Life

Topic: Musculoskeletal

Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: University of Sharjah
Committee: Research Ethics Committee
Ethics number: REC-20-02-26-03-S


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