Relationship between low back, shoulder, and elbow pain in hazelnut workers and their harvestıng methods, physical activity status and healthy lifestyle

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study to evaluate the sociodemographic characteristics, hazelnut harvesting methods and duration, physical activity status, and healthy lifestyle behaviors of patients who have engaged in hazelnut harvesting and presented with complaints of low back, shoulder, and elbow pain for the first time at clinic . The goal is to assess whether these factors are influential in the emergence of disorders related to the reported complaints. Methods It is a cross-sectional study conducted on a total of 124 people between the ages of 20-65 years who applied to the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic with complaints of low back, shoulder and elbow pain during the period of September - November 2020. Data were collected by a single physician through a questionnaire interview. The questionnaire consisted of 3 sections; sociodemographic characteristics, harvesting methods and additional tasks and IPAQ Short Form. Results Of the study participants, 63 (50.8%) presented to the clinic with low back pain and 66 (53.2%) were diagnosed with lumbar strain-sprain. This was followed by 38 (30.6%) with shoulder pain and 34 (27.4%) were diagnosed with rotator cuff syndrome. There was no significant difference between clinical diagnosis and age and sex. Conclusions Although sociodemographic characteristics, hazelnut harvesting methods and duration were not statistically associated with clinical diagnoses, the most common diagnosis was lumbar strain-sprain. In order to minimize the negative impact of the hazelnut harvesting on the musculoskeletal system, education and preventive measures can be provided to individuals engaged in hazelnut harvesting.

Keywords

• hazelnut
• agriculture
• musculoskeletal disorders

References

1. TURKSTAT Labor Force Statistics, May 2018 Accessed: http://www.tuik.gov.tr/PreHaberBultenleri. do?id=27689. Access date: 01/03/2024
2. İslam, A. Hazelnut culture in Turkey. Akademik Ziraat Dergisi. 2018:7(2), 259-266. https://doi. org/10.29278/azd.476665 95
3. Rosecrance J, Rodgers G, Merlino L. Low back pain and musculoskeletal symptoms among Kansas farmers. Am J Ind Med. 2006;49(7):547-556. doi:10.1002/ajim.20324
4. Sprince N, Park H, Zwerling C, et al. Risk factors for low back injury among farmers in Iowa: A case-control study nested in the agricultural health study. J Occup Environ Hyg. 2007;4(1):10- 16. doi:10.1080/15459620601067266
5. Osborne A, Blake C, McNamara J, Meredith D, Phelan J, Cunningham C. Musculoskeletal disorders among Irish farmers. Occup Med (Lond). 2010;60(8):598-603. doi:10.1093/occmed/kqq146
6. McClure PW, Bialker J, Neff N, Williams G, Karduna A. Shoulder function and 3-dimensional kinematics in people with shoulder impingement syndrome before and after a 6-week exercise program. Phys Ther. 2004;84(9):832-848.
7. Herquelot E, Bodin J, Roquelaure Y, et al. Work- related risk factors for lateral epicondylitis and other cause of elbow pain in the working population. Am J Ind Med. 2013;56(4):400-409. doi:10.1002/ajim.22140
8. Deyo RA, Rainville J, Kent DL. What can the history and physical examination tell us about low back pain? JAMA. 1992;268(6):760-765.

9. Fethke NB, Merlino LA, Gerr F, Schall MC Jr, Branch CA. Musculoskeletal pain among Midwest farmers and associations with agricultural activities. Am J Ind Med. 2015;58(3):319-330. doi:10.1002/ajim.22398
10. Obezite tanı, tedavi klavuzu. Türkiye Endokrinoloji ve Metabolizma Derneği Yayını. ISBN 978-605-4011- 19-3 Ankara 2017.
11. Uz Tunçay S, Yeldan İ. Kas iskelet sistemi rahatsızlıklarıyla fiziksel inaktivite ilişkili midir? [Is physical inactivity associated with musculoskeletal disorders?]. Agri. 2013;25(4):147-155. doi:10.5505/agri.2013.09825
12. Swarbrick M, D’Antonio D, Nemec PB. Promoting staff wellness. Psychiatr Rehabil J. 2011;34(4):334- 336. doi:10.2975/34.4.2011.334.336
13. Kulakli F, Ilhanli I, Sari IF, Türköz A, Çelik C. Can the efficacy of subacromial corticosteroid injection be improved using a single- session mobilization treatment in subacromial impingement syndrome? A randomized single-blind controlled trial. Turk J Med Sci. 2020;50(1):205-212. doi:10.3906/sag-1909-51
14. Elsayed MA, Osama F, Hany EO, et al. Efficacy of high intensity laser versus ultrasound therapy in the management of patients with lateral epicondylitis. Egypt Rheumatol. 2021; 43(2): 119–123. Doi:10.1016/j. ejr.2020.12.006
15. Craig CL, Marshall AL, Sjöström M, et al. International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2003;35(8):1381-1395. doi:10.1249/01.MSS.0000078924.61453.FB
16. Karaca A, Turnagöl HH. Reliability and validity of three different physical activity questionnaires in working individuals. Hacettepe J of Sport Sciences. 2007;18(2):68-84.
17. Thetkathuek A, Meepradit P, Sa-Ngiamsak T. A Cross-sectional Study of Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Risk Factors in Cambodian Fruit Farm Workers in Eastern Region, Thailand. Saf Health Work. 2018;9(2):192-202. doi:10.1016/j.shaw.2017.06.009
18. Momeni Z, Choobineh A, Razeghi M, Ghaem H, Azadian F, Daneshmandi H. Work-related Musculoskeletal Symptoms among Agricultural Workers: A Cross-sectional Study in Iran. J Agromedicine. 2020;25(3):339-348. doi:10.1080/1059924X.2020.1713273
19. Min D, Baek S, Park HW, et al. Prevalence and Characteristics of Musculoskeletal Pain in Korean Farmers. Ann Rehabil Med. 2016;40(1):1-13. doi:10.5535/arm.2016.40.1.1
20. Jain R, Meena ML, Dangayach GS, Bhardwaj AK. Risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders in manual harvesting farmers of Rajasthan. Ind Health. 2018;56(3):241-248. doi:10.2486/indhealth.2016-0084
21. Kee D, Haslam R. Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in agriculture workers in Korea and preventative interventions. Work. 2019;64(4):763-775. doi:10.3233/WOR-193038
22. Hartman E, Oude Vrielink HH, Huirne RB, Metz JH. Risk factors for sick leave due to musculoskeletal disorders among self-employed Dutch farmers: a case- control study. Am J Ind Med. 2006;49(3):204-214. doi:10.1002/ajim.20276
23. Kaewdok T, Sirisawasd S, Taptagaporn S. Agricultural Risk Factors Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Older Farmers in Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. J Agromedicine. 2021;26(2):185- 192. doi:10.1080/1059924X.2020.1795029
24. Bernard BP, Putz-Anderson V. Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors; a critical review of epidemiologic evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, upper extremity, and low back. 1997.
25. Kumaraveloo KS, Lunner Kolstrup C. Agriculture and musculoskeletal disorders in low- and middle- income countries. J Agromedicine. 2018;23(3):227- 248 doi:10.1080/1059924X.2018.1458671
26. Kang MY, Lee MJ, Chung H, et al. Musculoskeletal Disorders and Agricultural Risk Factors Among Korean Farmers. J Agromedicine. 2016;21(4):353- 363. doi:10.1080/1059924X.2016.1178612
27. Taylor D. Physical activity is medicine for older adults. Postgrad Med J. 2014;90(1059):26-32. doi:10.1136/postgradmedj-2012-131366.