[Orofacial and hearing specific problems among 340 wind instrumentalists in Lebanon].
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study is to detect the problems related to wind instruments in order to determine the contributing factors.


METHODS
This study is a prospective study of a sample of Lebanese wind-instruments musicians. Questionnaire of 17 items about personal data, musical activities in general and specific problems related to wind instruments.


RESULTS
340 response out of 400 (85%). Gender: male 100%. Age: 28.5 +/- 6.5 years (13-50). Practice of any physical activity: 57.5%. Smokers: 40.5% Data about musical practice - Years of practice: 6.5 +/- 5.5. Daily practice: 2.5 +/- 1.5 hours with 3.5 +/- 2 rest periods of 16.5 +/- 15 minutes. Weekly practice: 5 +/- 2 days. Data about medical problems - Hear loss 34%; respiratory difficulties: 19.5%; wound of lips muscles: 5%; gums and tongue lesions: 7.8%; myospasms of the cheeks and lips: 34.5%; dental problems: 30.7%; temporo-mandibular disorders (TMD): 22.5%. There is a high association between risk factors and pathology. Risks related to the instrument's use : hear loss (p = 0.001), traumas to lips muscles (p = 0.065), myospasms (p = 0.064), TMD (p = 0.000). Other factors: physical activity is beneficial; smoking is harmful (breathing difficulties, spasms, headaches). Factors influencing the different problems: age (31 +/- 7 years); years of practice (9 +/- 6); hours of practice per day (2 +/- 1.5); days of practice per week (4.5 +/- 2.5).


CONCLUSIONS
Wind instruments are related to problems of mouth, facial muscles and hearing. This may lead musicians to stop their activities or to irreversible professional disabilities. A medical follow-up during the musicians training is needed to prevent these problems.
Sayegh Ghoussoub
Mona
M
Faculté de Médecine dentaire, Université Libanaise, Beyrouth, Liban. mona_gsoub@yahoo.fr
Ghoussoub
Khalil
K
Chaaya
Adib
A
Sleilaty
Ghassan
G
Joubrel
Isabelle
I
Rifaï
Khaldoun
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005152:Facial Muscles / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006311:Hearing Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007861:Lebanon / Q000453:epidemiology; D008046:Lip / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009146:Music; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012119:Respiration; D012120:Respiration Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires