Physiological Perspective of Musculo-skeletal Disorders among Older Persons in Bangladesh

Abstract

Study Background: Globally the number of ageing populations increasing day by day and Bangladesh is no exception. The disease incidence and prevalence has been shifted as communicable to non-communicable disease due to lake of physical activities, indiscipline, uncontrolled use of drugs, using pesticides and food preservatives etc. Back pain, Neck pain, Knee pain, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, balance and coordination problems, and falling tendency are common global neuro-musculoskeletal problems in older people (Alexandra Villa-Forte, 2019). Aim and Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the physiological perspective of musculoskeletal disorders among older people in Bangladesh. The study's objectives were to explore the demographic characteristics, find out the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, discover the types of musculoskeletal disorders, investigate the biological, psychological and social perspective of musculoskeletal disorders and observe the quality of life of older people. Methodology: The study design was a cross-sectional survey. SP Hospitals Dhaka, all divisional centres of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralyzed (CRP), Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Laboratory, Jashore University of Science and Technology and BRB Hospitals Ltd., Panthopath, Dhaka was the study area. The qualified graduate physiotherapist was involved in data collection from 204 participants conveniently selected with a mixed type of questionnaire through face-to-face interviews. Ethical issues are appropriately maintained. Results: Regarding this study about 70% participants were male and 30% were female. About 36.9% of participants were living in a semi-rural area, and 31.6% of participants were living in an urban area. It was shown that about 82% of participants were not affected by COVID-19, and 18% were affected. Most of the participants' monthly income was less than 10,000 BDT, and that was 40.8%. Comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and coronary heart disease were found in 46%, 22%, and 13% of the 206 people, respectively. The prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders found as most three common pain sites was Knee pain at 84.4%, back pain at 77.6% and neck vi pain at 41%. It established the biological perspectives of the musculoskeletal problem of each of the participants who were suffering from conditions such as degenerative bone disease, diabetes, obesity, muscle imbalance, inadequate fitness, poor health status, and so on. Degenerative bone disease was present at its highest in 98%; poor health status had the second-highest number of participants, with about 51.3% of the total, followed by muscular imbalance, with approximately 54.3% of the total. The researchers examined 206 individuals and, from the psychological perspectives of MSD, found that n = 156 participants were experiencing symptoms of depression, which is the biggest, and the anxiety group had the second greatest number of participants (n = 128 total). The social perspectives of MSD were social isolation at 76%, lack of rehabilitation services at 84%, and improper care of older people at 85% Conclusion: The study showed that most of the older persons in Bangladesh have been suffering from different musculoskeletal problems, where back pain, knee pain and neck pain are the most common. The biological perspective of musculoskeletal problems was bone degeneration and decreased bone mineral density; the psychological aspect was depression and anxiety, which controlled the mobility of the older, and the social perspectives were social isolation, the lack of rehabilitation services and improper care of older people in Bangladesh.