Use of Smartphones as a Risk Factor for the Development of Morbidities in the Wrist and Fingers.

Objective To investigate the long-term use of smartphones as a risk factor for the development of morbidities in the wrist and fingers. Methods The present is a descriptive, exploratory study with a quantitative approach based on injury prevalence among one hundred smartphone users of a private university in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. We applied a semi-structured questionnaire and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), as well as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Finkelstein, Phalen, reverse Phalen, and Tinel signal tests on the wrist. Results The average of the sample was of 22.73 years, with a prevalence of single, right-handed female participants. Most of them had been using smartphones for 5 to 10 years, and 85% reported discomfort in the wrist and fingers while using the device, with numbness as the most prevalent symptom. Most clinical tests were negative, and the Finklestein test showed greater positivity. The BCTQ is composed of a symptom severity scale (S scale) and a functional status scale (F scale): the overall score on the S scale was of 1.61, indicating mild to moderate symptoms, and the F scale revealed that the symptoms did not affect functionality. Conclusion There was a significant correlation between the length of use of smartphones and discomfort in the wrist and fingers; as such, smartphones are a risk factor for the development of morbidities.

Use of Smartphones as a Risk Factor for the Development of Morbidities in the Wrist and Fingers / Uso de smartphones como fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de morbidades no punho e nos dedos*

Abstract Objective To investigate the long-term use of smartphones as a risk factor for the development of morbidities in the wrist and fingers. Methods The present is a descriptive, exploratory study with a quantitative approach based on injury prevalence among one hundred smartphone users of a private university in the state of Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. We applied a semi-structured questionnaire and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), as well as the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and the Finkelstein, Phalen, reverse Phalen, and Tinel signal tests on the wrist. Results The average of the sample was of 22.73 years, with a prevalence of single, right-handed female participants. Most of them had been using smartphones for 5 to 10 years, and 85% reported discomfort in the wrist and fingers while using the device, with numbness as the most prevalent symptom. Most clinical tests were negative, and the Finklestein test showed greater positivity. The BCTQ is composed of a symptom severity scale (S scale) and a functional status scale (F scale): the overall score on the S scale was of 1.61, indicating mild to moderate symptoms, and the F scale revealed that the symptoms did not affect functionality. Conclusion There was a significant correlation between the length of use of smartphones and discomfort in the wrist and fingers; as such, smartphones are a risk factor for the development of morbidities.

Resumo Objetivo Investigar o uso de smartphones em longo prazo como fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de morbidades no nível do punho e dos dedos. Métodos Realizou-se um estudo descritivo, exploratório, de abordagem quantitativa, para a obtenção de medidas de prevalência com cem acadêmicos usuários de smartphones de uma faculdade privada localizada no sertão de Pernambuco. Foram aplicados um questionário semiestruturado e o Questionário de Síndrome doTúnel do Carpo de Boston (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, BCTQ, na sigla em inglês), além da Escala Visual Analógica (EVA) e dos testes de Finkesltein, Phalen, Phalen reverso, e sinal de Tinel no punho. Resultados A idade média da amostra foi de 22,73 anos, com prevalência de solteiros, de destros, e do sexo feminino. O tempo de uso do smartphone indicado pela maioria dos participantes era entre 5 e 10 anos, e 85% da amostra relatou já ter sentido desconforto no punho e nos dedos durante o uso do aparelho, sendo a dormência o sintoma mais prevalente. Com relação aos testes clínicos, houve prevalência de resultados negativos, e o de Finklestein apresentou maior positividade. Quanto ao BCTQ, dividido em duas escalas, uma de gravidade dos sintomas (escala G) e uma de estado funcional (escala F), a média geral das pontuações foi de 1,61 na escala G, o que indica sintomas de leve a moderados, já a escala F revelou que os sintomas não afetavam a funcionalidade. Conclusão Foi possível observar uma correlação significativa entre o tempo de uso dos smartphones e a presença de desconforto no punho e nos dedos, o que indica que se trata de um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento de morbidades.

Musculoskeletal pain and quality of life in mothers of children with microcephaly, due to congenital Zika virus syndrome.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to observe the prevalence and intensity of musculoskeletal pain and the quality of life in mothers of children with microcephaly and also to compare the scores of the quality of life domains between mothers who had or did not have musculoskeletal pain. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study that evaluated mothers of children with a clinical diagnosis of microcephaly, due to congenital Zika virus syndrome, in the state of Pernambuco, northeast region, Brazil. To assess musculoskeletal pain, the Nordic Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal Symptoms was used, pain intensity was assessed by the Visual Analogue Scale and quality of life by the SF-36 Questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the 63 mothers evaluated, 59 (93.7%) reported currently experiencing musculoskeletal pain. The lumbar spine was the body region with the highest prevalence of pain (77.8%), followed by the thoracic spine (57.1%) and cervical spine (50.8%). Pain intensity was higher in the lumbar spine (6.00 ± 0.47), thoracic spine (4.44 ± 0.52) and shoulders (3.81 ± 0.51). The domains that presented the lowest scores in the quality of life assessment were general health status (49.0 ± 3.19), emotional aspects (49.7 ± 5.88) and pain (49.7 ± 2.50). Mothers who had musculoskeletal pain had lower scores in all domains of quality of life assessment compared to mothers who did not have pain, demonstrating significant differences for functional capacity (P = 0.035), physical aspects (P = 0.047) and pain (P = 0.002). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain was observed in mothers of children with microcephaly, with a higher prevalence and intensity in the lumbar spine. The domains related to physical and emotional health presented the worst scores in the quality of life of the evaluated mothers and the presence of musculoskeletal pain reduced the quality of life of the mothers of children with microcephaly in this study.

Prevalence, affected joints and intensity of the arthralgias in individuals in the chronic phase of Chikungunya fever / Prevalência, articulações acometidas e intensidade das artralgias em indivíduos na fase crônica da febre Chikungunya

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Chronic arthralgias caused in patients affected by Chikungunya fever bring repercussions that negatively impact the lives of these individuals. The primary objective of this study was to observe the prevalence, affected joints and intensity of the arthralgias in individuals in the chronic phase of Chikungunya fever. The secondary objective was to identify the factors associated with the presence of the arthralgias in these individuals. METHODS: Cross-sectional study that evaluated 80 volunteers, of both genders, with age range between 20-80 years, with clinical and/or laboratory diagnosis of Chikungunya fever. The arthralgias were assessed using the Nordic Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and pain intensity using the visual analog scale. RESULTS: 91% (n=73) of the sample reported recurrent arthralgias, at approximately 34.7±2.20 months, with a greater predominance in the morning (50.7%). The joints that showed the highest prevalence of pain were knees (68.8%), followed by the ankles (66.3%) and wrists (63.8%). Knees (4.81±0.40), ankles (4.66±0.42) and metacarpophalangeal (4.33±0.43) were the joints with greatest pain intensity. In addition to that, overweight was associated with the presence of arthralgias (p=0.002). CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of arthralgias was observed, of a recurrent character and a greater predominance in the morning. The joints most affected by pain were knees, ankles and the wrists and arthralgias were more intense in the knees, ankles and metacarpophalangeal joints. Overweight was a factor associated with the presence of arthralgias in individuals affected by Chikungunya fever.

RESUMO JUSTIFICATIVA E OBJETIVOS: As artralgias crônicas observadas em pacientes acometidos pela febre Chikungunya trazem repercussões que impactam negativamente a vida desses indivíduos. O objetivo primário deste estudo foi avaliar a prevalência, as articulações acometidas e a intensidade das artralgias em indivíduos na fase crônica da febre Chikungunya. O objetivo secundário foi identificar fatores associados à presença das artralgias nesses indivíduos. MÉTODOS: Estudo de corte transversal, que avaliou 80 voluntários, de ambos os sexos, com faixa etária entre 20-80 anos e diagnóstico clínico e/ou laboratorial de febre Chikungunya. A avaliação das artralgias foi realizada por meio do Nordic Questionnaire of Musculoskeletal Symptoms e a intensidade das dores pela escala analógica visual. RESULTADOS: 91% (n=73) da amostra relataram artralgias persistentes, a cerca de 34,7±2,20 meses, com maior predomínio pela manhã (50,7%). As articulações que apresentaram maior prevalência das dores foram joelhos (68,8%), tornozelos (66,3%) e os punhos (63,8%). Joelhos (4,81±0,40), tornozelos (4,66±0,42) e as metacarpofalangeanas (4,33±0,43) foram as articulações com maior intensidade das dores e o sobrepeso foi um fator associado à presença das artralgias (p=0,002). CONCLUSÃO: Foi observada uma elevada prevalência das artralgias, de caráter recorrente e maior predomínio pela manhã. As articulações mais acometidas pelas dores foram joelhos, tornozelos e os punhos e as artralgias foram mais intensas nos joelhos, tornozelos e metacarpofalangeanas. O sobrepeso foi um fator associado à presença das artralgias nos indivíduos acometidos pela febre Chikungunya.