Introduction
Musculoskeletal (MSK) injuries are frequent occupational hazards amongst endoscopists, partly attributed to the physically demanding nature and prolonged durations of endoscopic procedures. Understanding the prevalence and patterns of these injuries is crucial to improve the endoscopist’s occupational health by implementing appropriate preventive strategies.
Aims & Methods
Aim: The primary aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and distribution of MSK injuries among endoscopists. Endoscopists from across the world were surveyed regarding the types and frequencies of procedures they perform to evaluate the prevalence of MSK injuries among endoscopists with varying procedural type and frequency. The secondary aim was to investigate whether additional factors, such as exercise habits during adulthood and adolescence and the endoscopy environment, influence the frequency of reported MSK injuries.
Method: An international questionnaire-based study was conducted among endoscopists practising in numerous healthcare centres. Data gathered included the frequency and localisation of injuries, type of endoscopic procedures carried out, access to occupational health (OH) and ergonomics of the endoscopy theatre. Additionally, the study explored the potential impact of past and present exercise practice during adulthood and adolescence on the prevalence of MSK injuries.
Results
174 endoscopists participated in this study, from 25 countries. The most commonly reported MSK complaints were back, neck, shoulder and hand pain (table 1).
| Percentage of endoscopists reporting pain
|
|---|
|
|
| Back Pain | 23.6% |
Neck Pain
| 19.5%
|
Shoulder Pain
| 16.0%
|
Hand Pain
| 14.9%
|
Thumb Pain
| 13.2%
|
Hip Pain
| 7.4%
|
Elbow Pain
| 6.7%
|
Finger Pain
| 5.1%
|
Table 1: Pain in endoscopists;
Endoscopists’ experience was as follows; 32.2% -0-5 years, 46% -5-20 years and 21.8% -20 years of experience. Only 35.1% of participants had formal training on scope handling at the start of training.
Participants reported to use 1, 2, 3 and 4 monitors respectively during endoscopy sessions: 37.9%, 56.0%, 4.6% and 0.6%. 75.9 % of participants ensure that their screen is at eye level during endoscopies, whilst 75.3% ensure that the monitor is the right distance away.
23% of participants stated that they have had a formal diagnosis of an occupation related injury or have been reviewed by a physiotherapist / orthopaedic surgeon because of an endoscopy related injury. In contrast, only 13.2% of patients have reported their occupational injury to OH services.
51.1% of participants have had MSK injuries that they think are attributable to current endoscopy practices. However, only 13.2% have sought help from the OH team. 74% of these felt they were supported by the OH team.
10.9% of participants have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis or an inflammatory arthropathy, unrelated to work.
Conclusion
This study provides a valuable insight into the relationship between endoscopic procedures and the occurrence of MSK injuries among endoscopists, offering opportunities for prevention to safeguard the health of endoscopists and to encourage them to seek help for such injuries.
Disclosure
The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.
