Association between the time of physical laboral activities and leisure over shoulder pain in fruitculture workers: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Fruitculture workers are exposed to shoulder pain disorders due to long working times in overhead activities. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the association between the time of physical work and leisure activities over the perception of shoulder pain intensity in fruit growing workers. METHODS: This is a descriptive and correlational cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 180 fruit-growing workers. Multivariable logistic regression was used, with an estimate of the Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals. The dependent variable: Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) (0-10 points), was categorized as low and high, with cutoff points of NPRS > 3 and NPRS > 4, and was associated with the independent variables (level of physical activity, personal, labour and psychosocial). RESULTS: Workers which are insufficiently active in leisure time are more likely to report high-intensity shoulder pain, NPRS > 3 (OR: 2.39; p = 0.049) and NPRS > 4 (OR: 2.85; p = 0.036). In addition, working time in overhead activities is a risk factor for high-intensity pain for NPRS > 3 and NPRS > 4 (OR = 1.01; p < 0.001). Underweight and normal-weight workers were less likely to report shoulder pain in NPRS > 3 (OR = 0.35; p = 0.020) and in NPRS > 4 (OR = 0.20; p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Fruit-growing workers had a high prevalence of severe shoulder pain. In addition, workers who are insufficiently active at leisure, overweight and obese are more likely to report severe pain. It was observed that overhead tasks increase the chances of reporting high-intensity shoulder pain among workers.

Prevalence of Back Pain and Idiopathic Scoliosis in Adolescents From the Semiarid Region of Brazil: A Cross-sectional Study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS), and back pain and its risk factors, in schoolchildren from the semiarid region of Brazil. Methods: A total of 520 adolescents aged 10 to 16 years old were assessed. The students were administered the self-reported Back Pain and Body Posture Evaluation Instrument questionnaire. The screening for AIS included measuring the angle of trunk rotation using a scoliometer in the Adams forward-bend test. Participants with an angle of trunk rotation ≥ 7° were referred for radiography. The prevalence ratio was estimated by multivariable analysis using a Poisson regression model (α = 0.05). Results: Among the participants, 3.1% (95% confidence interval, 3.2%-6.9%) had a confirmed AIS diagnosis: 1.9% girls and 1.1% boys. There was no difference between boys and girls in AIS prevalence. The prevalence of back pain in the previous 3 months was 63.7% (95% confidence interval, 59.5%-67.7%), at a moderate level (visual analog scale = 3.83; 95% confidence interval, 3.57-4.08). Multivariable analysis showed that back pain is associated with postural variables, sex, and age. Conclusion: The prevalence of AIS in the semiarid region of Brazil was 3.1%, and that of back pain was 63.7%. Only body mass index was different between adolescents with and without AIS, with those with AIS having a lower mean body mass index. Back pain was higher in girls and increased in older adolescents. Furthermore, behavioral and postural habits and hereditary factors were associated with an increased chance of back pain.