Work-related musculoskeletal pain among physical and office workers
Work-related musculoskeletal pain among physical and office workers

Summary/Abstract: Background: Musculoskeletal overload is a common issue in the general population and represents a growing public health concern. In Poland, musculoskeletal disorders rank third among the leading causes of total work incapacity.Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain among physical and office workers.Material and methods: The study included 74 participants – 37 physical workers and 35 office workers. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was used to assess musculoskeletal complaints. The RolandMorris Disability Questionnaire measured disability related to lower back pain. The Jackson-Moskowitz Scale was used to assess the frequency of lower back pain, while the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) evaluated the intensity of lumbar spine pain. Participants also provided demographic information, including age, gender, marital status, and number of chronic conditions.Results: Among physical workers, 100% reported experiencing pain in at least one body region, while 91.5% of office workers reported similar complaints. The most frequently reported pain location in both groups was the lower back – 80% among office workers and 75.5% among physical workers. Physical workers were significantly more likely to report pain in the ankles/feet and elbows compared to office workers. In contrast, office workers reported significantly more neck and thoracic spine pain. A notably higher proportion of physical workers reported low to moderate disability associated with lower back pain.Conclusions: Musculoskeletal disorders are prevalent among both physical and office workers. The lower back is the most commonly affected area. Physical work is associated with mild limitations in daily activities due to lower back pain and increased pain in the elbows, ankles, and feet. Sedentary (office) work, on the other hand, is associated with pain affecting the entire spine.

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