Health-Related Quality of Life and Upper Extremity Pain in Workers Using Computer

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and upper extremity pain in workers using computer. METHOD: Ten thousand four hundred office workers using computer over 4 hours per day were enrolled, and two self-reported questionnaires were given to each candidate. First questionnaire included questions on location, duration, frequency and severity of pain, gender, age and history of alcohol, smoking and exercise. Second questionnaire used Korean job stress measurement scale (KJSMS) and medical outcome study 36 item short form health survey (SF-36) for assessing HRQOL. A total of 6,669 workers took part in interview. RESULTS: Mean age of group with pain was lower than that of painless group. Male gender, working period of 11~20 years, and smoking were associated with musculoskeletal pain, and similar result was found in group with no alcohol consumption, no exercise, and house chores for more than 2 hours per day. The short working period was associated with higher KJSMS Short Form score. For shoulder pain, only duty self-control showed significant difference according to pain scale in KJSMS. When adjusted with age, gender, working period, house chores and history of alcohol and smoking, there was no significant difference between musculoskeletal symptom and KJSMS, SF-36, respectively. CONCLUSION: Only shoulder pain and duty self-control score were related factors, comparing subjective symptoms of musculoskeletal pain and job stress. Additional investigation using strict definition and diagnostic criteria should be performed.