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. 2013 Apr 23:14:144.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2474-14-144.

Risk of musculoskeletal disorder among Taiwanese nurses cohort: a nationwide population-based study

Yueh-Chin Chung  1 , Chin-Tun Hung, Shu-Fen Li, Horng-Mo Lee, Shyang-Guang Wang, Shu-Chuan Chang, Lee-Wen Pai, Chien-Ning Huang, Jen-Hung Yang
Affiliations

Risk of musculoskeletal disorder among Taiwanese nurses cohort: a nationwide population-based study

Yueh-Chin Chung et al. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. .

Abstract

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represent the leading causes of occupational injuries among nursing staff. This population-based study was designed to assess the incidence and age-specific incidence of MSDs among a Taiwanese nurse cohort compared with non-nurses.

Description: Data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were used to identify MSDs in the study population. A total of 3914 nurses with a diagnosis of MSD were included, together with 11,744 non-nurses as a comparison group. The comparison subjects were randomly selected at a ratio of 3:1 relative to the nurse population and were matched by gender and age. The incidence of MSDs was calculated for the study group, with nurse-to-reference risk ratios presented as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). During the period 2004-2010, 3004 MSDs occurred among the nurses (76.24%) and 7779 (65.79%) in the non-nurses. The annual incidence of MSDs for the nurses increased from 28.35% in 2006 to 33.65% in 2010. The nurse-to-reference risk ratio was 1.27 (95% CI 1.19-1.35) in 2004 and 1.46 (1.37-1.55) in 2010. Herniation of intervertebral disc, lumbago, rotator cuff syndrome, medial epicondylitis, trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome were the most common problems.

Conclusions: Nurses are at higher risk of MSDs and the trend is increasing. Incorrect work-related posture/movement, psychological issues and the rolling shift system may be the major causes of MSDs among nurses in Taiwan.

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