A high number of somatic symptoms have been associated with poor health status and increased health care use. Previous studies focused on number of symptoms without considering the specific symptoms. The aim of the study was to investigate 1) the prevalence of 19 somatic symptoms, 2) the associations between the symptoms, and 3) the associations between the somatic symptoms, self-perceived heal...

BACKGROUND Juvenile systemic sclerosis (JSS) is a multisystem connective tissue disease characterized by skin fibrosis and internal organ involvement. It has a low prevalence, even in a tertiary facility setting. The purpose of the present study is to describe and analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics of a group of children with JSS followed in a single center. METHODS Clinical ...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effectiveness of mechanical patient lifts in reducing musculoskeletal symptoms, injuries, lost workday injuries, and workers' compensation costs in workers at a community hospital. DESIGN Pre-post intervention study. SETTING Three nursing units of a small community hospital. Patients or SUBJECTS Nursing personnel. INTERVENTIONS Mechanical patient lifts were mad...

BACKGROUND This study was conducted for a UK Trade Union in response to increasing numbers of health complaints among intensive computer workers in a data processing environment. AIM To estimate prevalence of musculoskeletal pain/discomfort and visual strain symptoms among data processing workers and to explore associations with work factors. METHODS A self-report questionnaire was distribu...

OBJECTIVES To address the relative importance of general job-related stressors, ambulance specific stressors and individual characteristics in relation to job satisfaction and health complaints (emotional exhaustion, psychological distress and musculoskeletal pain) among ambulance personnel. MATERIALS AND METHODS A nationwide prospective questionnaire survey of ambulance personnel in operatio...

OBJECTIVES The study aimed at comparing results of standardized Nordic-style questionnaires with those of clinical examinations in two surveys on upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders. METHODS The "repetitive task" survey (1757 workers in 1993-1994 and 598 workers in 1996-1997) studied risk factors of the disorders among those exposed to repetitive work. The "Pays de la Loire" sur...

Background: Numerous studies have reported prevalence rates for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) among dental professionals (DP). Objective: The objective of this paper is to update the dental professionals, physical therapists, occupational therapists, epidemiologists and ergonomics specialists with the growing evidence on WRMSD in DP through a systematic literature search. Mater...

AIM The aim of this epidemiologic study was to evaluate the intensity and variation of temporomandibular disorders and other musculoskeletal symptoms in a population of dental students during the five years of Dental School. METHODS A 0-to-3 numeric scale questionnaire (0=absence of the symptom, 1=mild intensity, 2=moderate intensity, 3=severe intensity) was submitted to all the students enro...

Pain is a distressing non-motor symptom experienced by up to 85% of people with Parkinson's disease (PD), yet it is often untreated. This pain is likely to be influenced by many factors, including the disease process, PD impairments as well as co-existing musculoskeletal and/or neuropathic pain conditions. Expert opinion recommends that exercise is included as one component of pain management p...

The diversity of symptoms experienced by patients with musculoskeletal pain is in stark contrast to the relative paucity of effective treatment. The intensity and character of symptoms vary considerably and may be independent of the underlying disease. In some patients, pain may occur in the absence of demonstrable pathology, whereas in others obviously damaged joints may be relatively symptom ...