Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among medical students in China

Abstract

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a significant health concern among medical students, potentially impacting their academic performance and future professional careers. Understanding the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors of MSDs in this population is crucial for developing effective prevention and rehabilitation strategies.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, distribution, and risk factors of MSDs among medical students, focusing on comorbidity patterns and pain localization.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 3809 medical students in Hubei, China. The Nordic Musculoskeletal Symptom Self-Assessment Scale was used to assess MSD prevalence. Risk factors were analyzed using logistic regression, and pain patterns and comorbidity associations were examined using the Apriori algorithm.

Results

MSD prevalence was 21.2% in the past week and 21.6% in the past year, with neck and shoulders most affected. Significant risk factors included older age, prolonged screen time, physical inactivity, and obesity, while sufficient sleep reduced risk. Female students had higher prevalence (61.4% vs. 38.6% in males). Single-site pain was reported by 7.2% of participants, while 6.9% experienced two-site pain. A strong comorbidity association was observed between neck/shoulder pain and upper back pain.

Conclusions

MSDs among medical students are influenced by gender, age, screen time, sleep duration, and physical activity levels, often presenting as multi-site pain. These findings highlight the need for medical students to improve MSD awareness and implement preventive strategies to mitigate future work-related health risks.