Rapid Communication
Copyright ©2008 The WJG Press and Baishideng.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 21, 2008; 14(27): 4359-4364
Published online Jul 21, 2008. doi: 10.3748/wjg.14.4359
Table 1 Comparison of demographic and procedure-related variables between endoscopists with or without severe (VAS > 5.5) musculoskeletal pain
With severe musculoskeletal pain (n = 26)Without severe musculoskeletal pain (n = 29)P
Age (median, range, yr)34 (29-47)36 (28-45)
Sex
Male1522
Female117
Career
Full time faculty1615
Trainee1014
Duration of practicing endoscopy (mean, range, mo)40.5 (1-204)39 (1-228)
Posture in upper endoscopy0.027
Mainly standing2521
Mainly sitting18
Posture in colonoscopy
Mainly standing1112
Mainly sitting1517
Specific posture or habit during endoscopy (%)11 (68.8)5 (31.3)0.041
Number of endoscopies per month (mean ± SD)280.5 ± 159.3260.1 ± 149.7
Time of endoscopic procedure per week (mean ± SD, h)20.5 ± 8.117.9 ± 7.2
Number of painful areas (mean ± SD)4.8 ± 3.22.3 ± 2.10.002
Table 2 Comparison of musculoskeletal pain and endoscopic workload between beginners and experienced endoscopists
Beginners (n = 28)Experienced endoscopists (n = 27)P
Pain over at least one anatomic location (%)26 (92.8)23 (85.2)
Severe pain with VAS value > 5.5 (%)15 (53.6)13 (48.1)
Multiple painful areas (%)22 (78.6)18 (66.7)
Number of painful areas (mean ± SD)3.9 ± 3.03.1 ± 2.9
VAS value of the most painful area (mean ± SD)4.9 ± 2.34.7 ± 3.1
Duration of endoscopic procedure per week (mean ± SD, h)23.7 ± 7.614.9 ± 5.20.001
Number of endoscopies per month (mean ± SD)322.4 ± 159.9216.1 ± 127.40.009
VAS: Visual analogue scale.