H, M., A, R. (2025). STUDYING WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS, CARTILAGE DEGRADATION AND SYNOVITIS IN SUGAR INDUSTRY WORKERS. Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 49(1), 85-101. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2024.333073.1353
Mourad B H; Radwan N A. "STUDYING WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS, CARTILAGE DEGRADATION AND SYNOVITIS IN SUGAR INDUSTRY WORKERS". Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 49, 1, 2025, 85-101. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2024.333073.1353
H, M., A, R. (2025). 'STUDYING WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS, CARTILAGE DEGRADATION AND SYNOVITIS IN SUGAR INDUSTRY WORKERS', Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 49(1), pp. 85-101. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2024.333073.1353
H, M., A, R. STUDYING WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS, CARTILAGE DEGRADATION AND SYNOVITIS IN SUGAR INDUSTRY WORKERS. Egyptian Journal of Occupational Medicine, 2025; 49(1): 85-101. doi: 10.21608/ejom.2024.333073.1353
STUDYING WORK-RELATED MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS, CARTILAGE DEGRADATION AND SYNOVITIS IN SUGAR INDUSTRY WORKERS
1Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
2Department of Clinical and Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
Abstract
Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are common among those employed in the sugar industry. Aim of Work: To determine the prevalence of WMSDs and measure the serum levels of two biomarkers associated with cartilage degradation and synovitis in some Egyptian sugar factory workers. Materials and Methods: Forty-two male workers and forty-two male administrative controls were chosen from a sugar factory located in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate, Egypt. The Standardised Nordic Questionnaire (SNQ) was administered using a validated version. Serum indicators of cartilage breakdown (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein, or COMP) and synovitis (hyaluronic acid (HA)) were assessed in each subject. Results: The current study revealed a significant high prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints (59.5%) during the last 12 months before the study as well as significant elevation in the serum levels of COMP and HA among the sugar factory workers when compared with their administrative controls. Additionally, among the exposed workers, there were significant correlations between the levels of tested biomarkers and their age, Body Mass Index (BMI), years of employment, and the number of affected anatomical regions. Linear regression analysis showed that the duration (years) of employment is the only significant independent predictor for the serum levels of COMP and HA. Conclusion and Recommendations: Sugar factory workers experience a high prevalence of WMSDs, with underlying articular cartilage degradation and synovitis that could be attributed to some personal and occupational factors (age, BMI and duration of employment). Therefore, protective ergonomic interventions and education programs should be adopted to improve working conditions and limit WMSDs in sugar industry workers.
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