The Impact of Musculoskeletal Pain on Health-Related Quality of Life in Fort Prajaksilapakom Hospital
Chanwit Phongamwong MD*, Ariya Mungkumpa BSc**, Wimonsiri Pawapootanon BSc**, Kunlisa Saiyotha BSc**, Chularat Duangtapha BSc**
Affiliation : * Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Phramongkutklao Hospital and Phramongkutklao College of Medicine, Bangkok, Thailand ** Department of Physical Therapy, Fort Prajaksilapakom Hospital, Udon Thani, Thailand
Objective : To investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and its impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in
workers of Fort Prajaksilapakom Hospital.
Material and Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Participants completed self-reported questionnaires requesting
demographic data and report of pain symptoms occurring within the last one month. In addition, the HRQoL questionnaire
(Thai SF-36v2) was used to study the SF-36v2 score. Musculoskeletal pain was divided into five groups: 1) no pain, 2) pain
at one site, 3) pain at two sites, 4) pain at three sites and 5) pain at four sites. The association between the SF-36v2 score and
musculoskeletal pain was evaluated using multivariable linear regression analysis.
Results : Of 726 hospital workers, 485 (66.8%) participated in the present study. The majority of participants were female
(65.3%) and comprised non-health care providers (56.3%) with a mean age of 37+11.5 years (range: 20-59). The prevalence
of musculoskeletal pain during the last one month was 77.0%. Musculoskeletal pain was mostly reported at the lower
extremities (50.8%), followed by low back (48.2), the neck (40.5%) and the upper extremities (33.0%). Multiple sites pain
(pain at more than one site) was 51%. Each subscale score of the Thai SF-36v2 was significantly lower in participants with
pain than in those without pain (physical functioning; p<0.001, physical role; p = 0.001, bodily pain; p<0.001, general
health; p<0.001, vitality; p<0.001, social functioning; p = 0.02, emotion role; p = 0.003 and mental health; p<0.001).
Multiple pain sites were more likely to be associated with lower HRQoL.
Conclusion : The present study showed the high prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and negative impact on HRQoL in
workers of Fort Prajaksilapakom Hospital. The number of sites of musculoskeletal pain was associated with a reduction in
the quality of life.
Keywords : Musculoskeletal pain, Prevalence, Health related Quality of life, Questionnaire, Thai SF-36v2, Hospital worker
