Occupational musculoskeletal pain in cardiac sonographers compared to peer employees: a multisite cross-sectional study

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence and impact of work-related musculoskeletal pain in cardiac sonographers to a large control group of peer employees with similar demographics. BackgroundCardiac sonographers are known to have high levels of occupational musculoskeletal pain. Comparative studies with other employees within cardiology/radiology departments have never been performed. MethodsAn electronic survey was administered to Mayo Clinic employees at six major patient care facilities in four different states. ResultsThere were 2682 employees within the departments of cardiology and radiology who were contacted, and 1532 (57%) completed the survey. After excluding those who wore protective lead aprons, 517 employees comprised the control group and 66 cardiac sonographers made up the study group. Cardiac sonographers reported work-related musculoskeletal pain more frequently than the control group (88% vs 40%; P<.001). This association persisted after multivariable adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, length of current employment, and history of preexisting musculoskeletal pain (OR 11.6; [95% CI 5.32, 25.5]; P<.001). Cardiac sonographers sought medical care for their work-related pain more often (55% vs 21%; P<.001) and missed more work due to pain (35% vs 12%, P<.001). In a secondary analysis, cardiac sonographers also experienced more work-related musculoskeletal pain than nurses, technicians, and physicians working in the interventional laboratory who regularly wear a protective lead apron (P<.001). ConclusionsIn this multisite cross-sectional study, cardiac sonographers experienced significantly more work-related pain and missed more work due to pain than peer employees within cardiology/radiology departments.