title: Neck-upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders among workers in the telecommunications company at Mansoura City.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was to determine the prevalence and work-related risk factors of neck-upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among video display terminal (VDT) users.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted; there were 60 VDT users and 35 controls. The participants filled in a structured questionnaire, had electrophysiological tests and an X-ray of the neck.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of MSDs was higher (28.3%) among VDTs users compared to controls (14.3%) with no statistically significant difference. The prevalence of cervical disorders with or without radiculopathy (18.3%) was the most common disorder followed by carpal tunnel syndrome (6.6%). The mean (SD) age of MSD cases (51 ± 7.2 years) was statistically significantly higher than of the controls (42.8 ± 9). Physical exposure to prolonged static posture (OR: 6.9; 95% CI: 0.83-57.9), awkward posture (OR: 5.5; 95% CI: 0.6-46.4) and repetitive movements (OR: 5.5; 95% CI: 0.65-46.4) increased risk of MSDs with a statistically significant difference for static posture only (p < .05). VDT users experienced more job dissatisfaction, work-overload and limited social support from supervisors and colleagues.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VDT use did not increase the risk of neck-upper extremity MSDs. The risk increased with older age and static posture.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: Sohair Fouad
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: El-Bestar
authors.forename: Ashraf Abdel-Moniem
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: El-Mitwalli
authors.forename: Eman Omar
authors.initials: EO
authors.lastname: Khashaba
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001837:Body Weights and Measures; D016288:Computer Terminals; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009333:Neck; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000453:epidemiology; D013685:Telecommunications; D034941:Upper Extremity