Predicting mechanical neck pain intensity in computer professionals using machine learning: identification and correlation of key features.

Introduction: Mechanical neck pain has become prevalent among computer professionals possibly because of prolonged computer use. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between neck pain intensity, anthropometric metrics, cervical range of motion, and related disabilities using advanced machine learning techniques. Method: This study involved 75 computer professionals, comprising 27 men and 48 women, aged between 25 and 44 years, all of whom reported neck pain following extended computer sessions. The study utilized various tools, including the visual analog scale (VAS) for pain measurement, anthropometric tools for body metrics, a Universal Goniometer for cervical ROM, and the Neck Disability Index (NDI). For data analysis, the study employed SPSS (v16.0) for basic statistics and a suite of machine-learning algorithms to discern feature importance. The capability of the kNN algorithm is evaluated using its confusion matrix. Results: The "NDI Score (%)" consistently emerged as the most significant feature across various algorithms, while metrics like age and computer usage hours varied in their rankings. Anthropometric results, such as BMI and body circumference, did not maintain consistent ranks across algorithms. The confusion matrix notably demonstrated its classification process for different VAS scores (mild, moderate, and severe). The findings indicated that 56% of the pain intensity, as measured by the VAS, could be accurately predicted by the dataset. Discussion: Machine learning clarifies the system dynamics of neck pain among computer professionals and highlights the need for different algorithms to gain a comprehensive understanding. Such insights pave the way for creating tailored ergonomic solutions and health campaigns for this population.

Neck Health Metrics and Quality of Life: A Comparative Study in Bike Drivers with and without Neck Pain.

Purpose: Neck pain is a prevalent musculoskeletal issue among bike drivers, often resulting from extended static postures, repetitive head movements, and exposure to vibrations. This study aims to assess the connection between cervical ROM, neck proprioception, CVA, and QOL in bike drivers with neck pain compared to those without neck pain so that the targeted interventions can be developed to enhance their well-being. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 100 bike drivers aged 20-50 years was conducted, split into two groups: those with neck pain (n=50) and those without neck pain (n=50). Cervical ROM was measured using a smartphone, neck proprioception was assessed through a head repositioning test, and CVA was determined using lateral-view photographs with a plumb line. The Short Form-36 (SF-36) questionnaire was employed to evaluate QOL. Data analysis was conducted using independent t-tests and Pearson's correlation coefficient. Results: Bike drivers with neck pain exhibited significantly reduced cervical ROM (p-value=<0.001), impaired neck proprioception (p-value=<0.001), and decreased CVA (p-value=<0.001) compared to their counterparts without neck pain. A strong negative correlation was found between neck pain and QOL, with lower scores in all eight domains of the SF-36. Cervical ROM, neck proprioception, and CVA showed moderate correlations with various QOL domains (p-value=<0.05). Conclusion: Neck pain in bike drivers is linked to decrease cervical ROM, compromised neck proprioception, and reduced CVA. These factors correlate with a lower quality of life, both physical and mental domains. Interventions addressing these aspects may enhance the quality of life for bike drivers experiencing neck pain.

Assessment of Risk Factors and the Relationship between Hypothyroidism with Hypertension in Diabetes Mellitus Patients: A Cross-Sectional Community-Based Study.

(1) Background: hypertension (HTN) and diabetes mellitus (DM) represent two widely noncommunicable diseases that are prevalent globally, and they often correlate with chronic health issues. There has been an acknowledged connection between diabetes, hypertension, and hypothyroidism for quite some time. However, the extent of thyroid dysfunction among the diabetic population is not uniform and significantly differs across different research studies. This study was conducted with the objective of identifying the risk factors associated with hypothyroidism as well as assessing the relationship between hypothyroidism and hypertension in patients with diabetes. (2) Materials and Methods: Participants aged 18 years and above were included in this study, while pregnant women were excluded. Trained health professionals measured sociodemographic, behavioural, food practices, and anthropometric information about the participants. Each respondent sought medical advice regarding their health, and a face-to-face interview enabled them to express concern about the likelihood of being diagnosed with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. (3) Results: The study encompassed 640 participants, with an average age of 49.20 ± 13.0 years. Among these participants, 65.5% were female, and 34.5% were male. Of the total, 31.25% were diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, and 18.75% had hypertension. Interestingly, co-occurrence of both conditions was observed in 9.68% of the population. A comparison of thyroid function and indicators of blood sugar levels yielded consistent results across the different patient groups. Specifically, for diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, the average levels were 3.4 ± 9.8 pg/mL for fT3, 0.9 ± 0.7 ng/dL for fT4, 3.3 ± 6.2 µiU/mL for TSH, 153.1 ± 68.0 mg/dL for fasting plasma glucose (FPG), 213.2 ± 97.2 mg/dL for postprandial glucose (PPG), and 8.3 ± 3.2% for HbA1c. (4) Conclusion: It is concluded that patients with hypertension had a significant prevalence of diabetes mellitus. Subclinical hypothyroid subjects must be frequently screened for hypertension. Of 120 individuals with hypertension, 45 (37.5%) were also diagnosed with diabetes. This co-occurrence was significantly higher in subjects aged over 50 years (26.7%), in the lower socio-economic class (18.5%), and among those who were married (14.7%). Additionally, patients with hypertension exhibited a high prevalence of diabetes across different educational backgrounds and occupations, with the highest prevalence among postgraduates (37.5%) and professionals (24.0%), respectively. These findings highlight the need for an integrated approach to the management of hypertension and diabetes, particularly in high-risk demographics.