[Musculo-skeletal problems among Lebanese dental surgeons. Occurrence and risk factors].
OBJECTIVE
Search of factors influencing the occurrence of musculoskelettal problems (MSP) among Lebanese dental surgeons.


METHODS
Retrospective study, performed in September 2001. A 29 item-questionnaire exploring demographic and personal data, professional activity, the occurrence of musculoskelettal problems during the last month (MSPLM), and the twelve last months (MSPTLM) among Lebanese dental surgeons.


RESULTS
300 questionnaires--170 answers. Descriptive analysis--Age: 37 +/- 9 years; 141 men (83%); 96 general practitioners (56.5%); 93 (56%) practice sports ; stress: 94%; length of service: 12 +/- 8 years; duration: 7 +/- 1.75 hours per day and 5 +/- 0.75 days per week; breaks: 85 +/- 55 minutes per day; MSPLM: 66% ; pains: lumbar spine 85.5%, cervical spine 59%, shoulders and arms 62%, hands 10%, lower limbs 25%. Pins and needles: 32%; MSPTLM: 52.4%. Univariate analysis--Strong correlation for MSPLM occurrence with sports (p = 0.007), breaks duration (p = 0.005), occurrence of MSPTLM and current practice (general practitioners) p = 0.016. Multivariate analysis--Weight gain (p = 0.0119) x 6, history of MSPTLM (p = 0.000) x 21 and pins and needles (p = 0.0339) x 4,5 are the potential risk factors of MSPLM occurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence of MSP is high in our series. The preventive and curative care is insufficient, thus information and prevention are necessary.
Sayegh Ghoussoub
Mona
M
Faculté de médecine dentaire, Université Libanaise, Beyrouth, Liban. mona_gsoub@yahoo.fr
Ghoussoub
Khalil
K
Moucharrafieh
Lina
L
Khoury
Antoine
A
Sleilaty
Ghassan
G
Rifaï
Khaldoun
K
D000328:Adult; D003814:Dentistry, Operative; D003815:Dentists / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce