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Background: Previous investigations on the epidemiology of neck pain in South Africa were limited to the White and Black populations to the exclusion of Indians. Thus the purpose of this study was to create a profile of neck pain and provide an overview of risk factors with particular interest to the Indian population. Objectives: These included the investigation of neck pain prevalence, neck pain clinical characteristics and risk factors for neck pain in the Indian population in the greater Durban area. Method: The first criterion for sample selection the establishment of suburbs within the greater Durban area. Secondly the three most densely populated Indian suburbs were chosen and ranked according to income potential, to ensure a balanced sample. An equal number of residents in each suburb were targeted, with a minimum of 600 respondents. Statistical Program for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 15.0 was used to analyse the data. Results: The demographics indicated that the respondents were predominantly matriculated (40.3%), married (57.9%), men (55.7%) of active (94%) Hindu or Christian religion (43%) with a mean age of 36.7 years and a BMI of 24.8 kg/m2. The prevalence of neck pain was 36.83%, with an annual incidence of 28.83%. Original neck pain lasted 8.56 years with a Numerical Rating Scale reading of 4.97. The seldom experienced pain was affected by lifting, sleeping and concentration. In contrast recent neck pain lasted 50.4 days with a Numerical Rating Scale reading of 4.02. The more frequently experienced pain was equally affected by sleeping and lifting. Common risk factors identified for neck pain generally were stress, cycling, favouring one side when carrying a heavy object and suffering from headaches, shoulder pain and / or back pain. The findings of this study supported previous studies, although there were some significant differences. These included males having had a higher prevalence (55.7%) than females (44.3%), as well as watching television being a preventative factor to neck pain. v Conclusions and Recommendations: Thus the prevalence and risk factors of neck pain in the Indian population were comparable to international norms. It was however noted that stratified gender sampling should perhaps have been utilised to strengthen this study and causality of factors in relation to neck pain could not be determined. Both these limitations allow for future research opportunities.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for a Masters Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for neck pain in the white population in the greater Durban area. The rational for this study was that there have been few epidemiological studies done on neck pain and even less when concerning different population groups. Discrepancies between population groups have been found in various pain related studies. The present epidemiological study eliminated any possible variables between population groups by studying only the white population in a specific geographical area (Durban). Therefore, physicians treating people with neck pain should use the risk factors that were established in this and other studies and integrate them in their treatment protocol. The study was conducted at three shopping centres around Durban that were randomly selected. Each shopping centre was grouped by the socio-economic status of the surrounding suburbs. There were 900 participants surveyed at three shopping centres by means of a questionnaire. The data were then statistically analysed using SPSS version 15. It was found that the overall prevalence of neck pain was 45%. The participants in this study that had neck pain were more likely to be females that were married or previously married, had a job that caused their heads to turn or to work with their arms above their heads. Lifestyle factors included one or a combination of the following: lead a stressful lifestyle, were emotional, had perceived bad posture, had previously experienced neck or head trauma, slept in awkward positions, watched television, required glasses and did not play squash.

Background: It is unclear whether generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) has a specific relationship to pain syndromes, going beyond the established association of pain with anxiety syndromes in general. Methods: Mental disorders were assessed in a community sample (N = 4181; 18–65 years) using the DSM-IV/M-CIDI. Several threshold definitions were used to define GAD and medically unexplained pain. Results: The association between pain and GAD (odds ratio, OR = 5.8 pain symptoms; OR = 16.0 pain disorder) is stronger than the association between pain and other anxiety disorders (OR = 2.4 pain symptoms; OR = 4.0 pain disorder). This association extends to subthreshold level definitions of GAD with some indication for a non-linear dose–response relationship. The GAD-pain link cannot sufficiently be explained by demographic factors, comorbid mental or physical disorders. Conclusions: The association of pain and generalized anxiety is not artifactual. Compared to other anxiety syndromes, it appears to be stronger and more specific suggesting the need to explore clinical and public health implications.

Introdução: Os adolescentes usam freqüentemente Computador e videogame e podem estar expostos a desenvolver dores, lesões e síndromes do sistema músculo-esquelético. Objetivos: Avaliar e caracterizar a presença de dor, síndromes e lesões do sistema músculo-esquelético em adolescentes e relacioná-las com o uso de computador e videogame. Avaliar a ergonomia do uso do computador. Métodos: A população de estudo consistiu de 833 alunos de um colégio particular da cidade de São Paulo. Neles foi realizado um estudo transversal que incluiu: 1) Questionário com dados demográficos, características do uso dos aparelhos e sintomas dolorosos; 2) exame físico do aparelho músculo esquelético e 3) avaliação de alguns aspectos ergonômicos (postura e equipamentos) durante o uso do computador na escola. As seguintes doenças foram pesquisadas: fibromialgia juvenil, síndrome de hipermobilidade articular benigna, síndrome miofascial e lesões específicas dos membros superiores (tendinites, bursites e epicondilites). Na avaliação estatística foi realizada análise univariada por meio dos testes qui-quadrado, teste exato de Fischer, teste de Mann Whitney e análise multivariada por Regressão Logística. Os teste realizados foram bicaudais e o nível de significância adotado foi de 5% (p <= 0,05). Resultados: O estudo avaliou 791 alunos. A idade média foi de 14,17 ± 1,99 anos e a relação feminino:masculino foi de 1,1:1. 99% dos alunos utilizaram computador e 67% o usaram no dia anterior à pesquisa. 58% utilizaram videogame e 30% “minigame/gameboy". A disponibilidade e o uso dos aparelhos foi maior no sexo masculino (p < 0,001). Os alunos entre 10 e 14 anos utilizaram mais o videogame e o “minigame/gameboy" (p < 0,001) e os entre 15 e 18 o computador (p < 0,05). A utilização do videogame foi menor que o computador. Dor músculo-esquelética foi relatada por 312 alunos. 23% relataram dor na coluna vertebral, 9% nos membros superiores, 4% no músculo trapézio e 4%dor difusa. 11% dos alunos mencionaram que alguma das suas dores era desencadeada pelo uso do computador. Não foi evidenciada correlação entre a presença dor e o uso dos aparelhos. 359 alunos realizaram o exame físico, nestes a síndrome de hipermobilidade articular benigna foi encontrada em 10%, síndrome miofascial em 5%, tendinites em 2% e fibromialgia juvenil em 1%. Não foi observada correlação estatística entre a presença das entidades com a utilização dos aparelhos. A avaliação da ergonomia foi realizada em 402 alunos. Todos esses alunos apresentaram ergonomia inadequada em um ou mais dos aspectos avaliados. Conclusões: Os adolescentes usam o computador com tempo e freqüência consideráveis. A presença de dor, síndromes e lesões músculoesqueléticas não apresentou correlação com uso de computador ou videogame.Todos os alunos avaliados apresentaram ergonomia inadequada durante o uso do computador. / Introduction: Adolescents frequently use computer and video game and this may cause increased risk of pain, musculoskeletal pain syndromes and soft tissue injuries. Objectives: To evaluate and identify the presence of pain, musculoskeletal pain syndromes and soft tissue injuries in adolescents and correlate to computer and video game use. To evaluate ergonomics during computer use. Methods: The study group consisted of 833 adolescents from one private school in São Paulo, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out that was composed of: a questionnaire with demographic data, use of computer and video game and presence of pain; clinical examination of the locomotor system and ergonomic evaluation of computer use. Juvenile fibromyalgia, benign joint hypermobility syndrome, myofascial syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis and epicondilitis were studied. Statistical analysis was carried out with Fisher, chi-square, Mann Whitney tests and Logistic Regression. In all of the statistical tests the level of significance was set at 5% (p <= 0.05) and were two-tailed. Results: 791 adolescent students were evaluated. The mean age was 14.17 ± 1.99 years and female/male relation was 1/1.1. The computer was used by 99% and 67% used the day before the survey, video game by 58% and minigame/gameboy by 30%. Computer and video game are more available to males and used more frequently by them (p < 0.001). The adolescents from 10 to 14 years (p < 0.001) reported more use of video game and minigame/gameboy and adolescents from 15 to 18 reported more use of computer (p < 0.05). The adolescents reported more use of computer than video game and minigame/gameboy. Pain was reported by 312 adolescents: 23% complained of back pain, 9% upper limbs pain, 4% diffuse pain and 4% pain in trapezium muscle. Pain related with computer use was reported in 11%. Statistical correlation was not observed between presence of any pain and use of either computer or video game. The clinical examination was carried out in 359 students. The musculoskeletal pain syndromes and soft tissue injuries was present in 56 students: benign joint hypermobility syndrome in 10%, myofascial syndrome in 5%, tendinitis in 2% and juvenile fibromyalgia in 1%. Statistical correlation was not observed between presence of musculoskeletal pain syndromes or soft tissue injuries and use of computer and video game. Ergonomic evaluation of computer use was carried out in 402 adolescents. All of these students presented inadequate ergonomics of computer use at school during computer class. Conclusions: Adolescents use frequently and for a considerable period of time computer and video game. Statistical correlation was not observed between presence of any pain and use of computer and video game. The presence of musculoskeletal pain syndromes and soft tissue injuries were not correlated to computer or video game use. All of the students presented inadequate ergonomics during of computer use.

Introdução: Os adolescentes usam freqüentemente Computador e videogame e podem estar expostos a desenvolver dores, lesões e síndromes do sistema músculo-esquelético. Objetivos: Avaliar e caracterizar a presença de dor, síndromes e lesões do sistema músculo-esquelético em adolescentes e relacioná-las com o uso de computador e videogame. Avaliar a ergonomia do uso do computador. Métodos: A população de estudo consistiu de 833 alunos de um colégio particular da cidade de São Paulo. Neles foi realizado um estudo transversal que incluiu: 1) Questionário com dados demográficos, características do uso dos aparelhos e sintomas dolorosos; 2) exame físico do aparelho músculo esquelético e 3) avaliação de alguns aspectos ergonômicos (postura e equipamentos) durante o uso do computador na escola. As seguintes doenças foram pesquisadas: fibromialgia juvenil, síndrome de hipermobilidade articular benigna, síndrome miofascial e lesões específicas dos membros superiores (tendinites, bursites e epicondilites). Na avaliação estatística foi realizada análise univariada por meio dos testes qui-quadrado, teste exato de Fischer, teste de Mann Whitney e análise multivariada por Regressão Logística. Os teste realizados foram bicaudais e o nível de significância adotado foi de 5% (p <= 0,05). Resultados: O estudo avaliou 791 alunos. A idade média foi de 14,17 ± 1,99 anos e a relação feminino:masculino foi de 1,1:1. 99% dos alunos utilizaram computador e 67% o usaram no dia anterior à pesquisa. 58% utilizaram videogame e 30% “minigame/gameboy”. A disponibilidade e o uso dos aparelhos foi maior no sexo masculino (p < 0,001). Os alunos entre 10 e 14 anos utilizaram mais o videogame e o “minigame/gameboy” (p < 0,001) e os entre 15 e 18 o computador (p < 0,05). A utilização do videogame foi menor que o computador. Dor músculo-esquelética foi relatada por 312 alunos. 23% relataram dor na coluna vertebral, 9% nos membros superiores, 4% no músculo trapézio e 4%dor difusa. 11% dos alunos mencionaram que alguma das suas dores era desencadeada pelo uso do computador. Não foi evidenciada correlação entre a presença dor e o uso dos aparelhos. 359 alunos realizaram o exame físico, nestes a síndrome de hipermobilidade articular benigna foi encontrada em 10%, síndrome miofascial em 5%, tendinites em 2% e fibromialgia juvenil em 1%. Não foi observada correlação estatística entre a presença das entidades com a utilização dos aparelhos. A avaliação da ergonomia foi realizada em 402 alunos. Todos esses alunos apresentaram ergonomia inadequada em um ou mais dos aspectos avaliados. Conclusões: Os adolescentes usam o computador com tempo e freqüência consideráveis. A presença de dor, síndromes e lesões músculoesqueléticas não apresentou correlação com uso de computador ou videogame.Todos os alunos avaliados apresentaram ergonomia inadequada durante o uso do computador. / Introduction: Adolescents frequently use computer and video game and this may cause increased risk of pain, musculoskeletal pain syndromes and soft tissue injuries. Objectives: To evaluate and identify the presence of pain, musculoskeletal pain syndromes and soft tissue injuries in adolescents and correlate to computer and video game use. To evaluate ergonomics during computer use. Methods: The study group consisted of 833 adolescents from one private school in São Paulo, Brazil. A cross-sectional study was carried out that was composed of: a questionnaire with demographic data, use of computer and video game and presence of pain; clinical examination of the locomotor system and ergonomic evaluation of computer use. Juvenile fibromyalgia, benign joint hypermobility syndrome, myofascial syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis and epicondilitis were studied. Statistical analysis was carried out with Fisher, chi-square, Mann Whitney tests and Logistic Regression. In all of the statistical tests the level of significance was set at 5% (p <= 0.05) and were two-tailed. Results: 791 adolescent students were evaluated. The mean age was 14.17 ± 1.99 years and female/male relation was 1/1.1. The computer was used by 99% and 67% used the day before the survey, video game by 58% and minigame/gameboy by 30%. Computer and video game are more available to males and used more frequently by them (p < 0.001). The adolescents from 10 to 14 years (p < 0.001) reported more use of video game and minigame/gameboy and adolescents from 15 to 18 reported more use of computer (p < 0.05). The adolescents reported more use of computer than video game and minigame/gameboy. Pain was reported by 312 adolescents: 23% complained of back pain, 9% upper limbs pain, 4% diffuse pain and 4% pain in trapezium muscle. Pain related with computer use was reported in 11%. Statistical correlation was not observed between presence of any pain and use of either computer or video game. The clinical examination was carried out in 359 students. The musculoskeletal pain syndromes and soft tissue injuries was present in 56 students: benign joint hypermobility syndrome in 10%, myofascial syndrome in 5%, tendinitis in 2% and juvenile fibromyalgia in 1%. Statistical correlation was not observed between presence of musculoskeletal pain syndromes or soft tissue injuries and use of computer and video game. Ergonomic evaluation of computer use was carried out in 402 adolescents. All of these students presented inadequate ergonomics of computer use at school during computer class. Conclusions: Adolescents use frequently and for a considerable period of time computer and video game. Statistical correlation was not observed between presence of any pain and use of computer and video game. The presence of musculoskeletal pain syndromes and soft tissue injuries were not correlated to computer or video game use. All of the students presented inadequate ergonomics during of computer use.

Objectives: To assess the expression of the symptoms of jaw muscle pain and its association with alterations in biochemistry, other symptoms and the carriage of staphylococci. Methods: Three different study populations were assessed. The first was selected and examined by the author and consisted of 43 pain and 41 age and sex matched controls. The second was a study of CFS patients who were blinded to the author and the author subsequently examined the associations between jaw muscle symptom reporting and the standardised biochemistry measures. The third study was also blinded to the author but included an investigation of staphylococci and certain cytokine and biochemistry measures. Results: The three studies clearly establish an association between the carriage of toxicogenic coagulase negative staphylococci and the expression of jaw muscle pain in both males and females. These associations were homogeneous and were found whether the patients were selected on the basis of having jaw muscle pain or selected from within a population of patients selected on the basis of having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The studies associated the changes with variations in biochemistry and these were in turn associated with symptom expression within the jaw muscle pain patients. These biochemical alterations included the dysregulation of immune cell counts, cytokines, electrolyte and protein metabolism. These symptoms and biochemical changes were associated with pain severity and illness duration and staphylococcal toxin production. From the data a model was developed which shows the mechanisms involved in the development of chronic pain in the jaw muscles. Conclusions: The carriage of toxicogenic coagulase-negative staphylococci were found to be associated with the expression of jaw muscle pain and the alterations in biochemistry associated with these symptoms.

Objectives: To assess the expression of the symptoms of jaw muscle pain and its association with alterations in biochemistry, other symptoms and the carriage of staphylococci. Methods: Three different study populations were assessed. The first was selected and examined by the author and consisted of 43 pain and 41 age and sex matched controls. The second was a study of CFS patients who were blinded to the author and the author subsequently examined the associations between jaw muscle symptom reporting and the standardised biochemistry measures. The third study was also blinded to the author but included an investigation of staphylococci and certain cytokine and biochemistry measures. Results: The three studies clearly establish an association between the carriage of toxicogenic coagulase negative staphylococci and the expression of jaw muscle pain in both males and females. These associations were homogeneous and were found whether the patients were selected on the basis of having jaw muscle pain or selected from within a population of patients selected on the basis of having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The studies associated the changes with variations in biochemistry and these were in turn associated with symptom expression within the jaw muscle pain patients. These biochemical alterations included the dysregulation of immune cell counts, cytokines, electrolyte and protein metabolism. These symptoms and biochemical changes were associated with pain severity and illness duration and staphylococcal toxin production. From the data a model was developed which shows the mechanisms involved in the development of chronic pain in the jaw muscles. Conclusions: The carriage of toxicogenic coagulase-negative staphylococci were found to be associated with the expression of jaw muscle pain and the alterations in biochemistry associated with these symptoms.