Spondylosis in Interventional Electrophysiologists
Cervical and Lumbar Spondylosis in Electrophysiologists.
Introduction: The volume and complexity of interventional electrophysiology procedures have increased greatly over the last 20 years. Anecdotal reports from Canada and elsewhere have suggested an important prevalence of neck and back problems in interventional electrophysiologists.
Methods and Results: To quantify the scope of neck and back problems, we surveyed 70 interventional electrophysiologists in Canada using an electronic survey with in person and email reminders. We also surveyed an age- and gender-matched group of noninterventional cardiologists. We received responses from a total of 58 of 70 interventional electrophysiologists (response rate 82.8%). There was a significantly higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis among electrophysiologists compared to matched noninterventional cardiologists (20.7% compared to 5.5%, P = 0.033). There was a trend for increased prevalence of lumbar spondylosis (25.9% compared to 16.7%, P = 0.298). Among electrophysiologists, those with cervical spondylosis were older (49.83 ± 10.48 years compared to 44.57 ± 9.20, P = 0.092) and had worked in the specialty for longer in comparison to unaffected physicians (19.67 ± 10.06 years compared to 13.37 ± 8.97 years, P = 0.039). All other variables including gender, height, weight, BMI, type of lead, weekly average lead time, and % of time standing in electrophysiology laboratory were not different. On multivariable analysis there were no independent predictors of disease.
Conclusions: There is a significant increased prevalence of cervical spondylosis among interventional electrophysiologists. Programs to improve ergonomics and minimize time spent wearing lead are needed. The same vigilance that is used to ensure radiation safety in the laboratory should be applied to create ergonomic safety.
Interventional electrophysiologists stand, wearing lead for many hours each week. Previous work looking at prevalence of neck and back problems has focused on coronary interventional cardiologists or radiologists and has not included interventional electrophysiologists. Electrophysiology procedures may put different stresses on the spine and these procedures are now much longer than coronary interventional procedures. Hence, the purpose of our study was 3-fold: firstly, to determine the prevalence of cervical and lumbar spondylosis in a group of interventional electrophysiologists, in comparison to a control group of noninterventional cardiologists; secondly, to examine potential predictors of the development of disease; and thirdly, to investigate current practices of ergonomic planning of electrophysiology laboratory and ergonomic training of electrophysiologists.
Abstract and Introduction
Abstract
Cervical and Lumbar Spondylosis in Electrophysiologists.
Introduction: The volume and complexity of interventional electrophysiology procedures have increased greatly over the last 20 years. Anecdotal reports from Canada and elsewhere have suggested an important prevalence of neck and back problems in interventional electrophysiologists.
Methods and Results: To quantify the scope of neck and back problems, we surveyed 70 interventional electrophysiologists in Canada using an electronic survey with in person and email reminders. We also surveyed an age- and gender-matched group of noninterventional cardiologists. We received responses from a total of 58 of 70 interventional electrophysiologists (response rate 82.8%). There was a significantly higher prevalence of cervical spondylosis among electrophysiologists compared to matched noninterventional cardiologists (20.7% compared to 5.5%, P = 0.033). There was a trend for increased prevalence of lumbar spondylosis (25.9% compared to 16.7%, P = 0.298). Among electrophysiologists, those with cervical spondylosis were older (49.83 ± 10.48 years compared to 44.57 ± 9.20, P = 0.092) and had worked in the specialty for longer in comparison to unaffected physicians (19.67 ± 10.06 years compared to 13.37 ± 8.97 years, P = 0.039). All other variables including gender, height, weight, BMI, type of lead, weekly average lead time, and % of time standing in electrophysiology laboratory were not different. On multivariable analysis there were no independent predictors of disease.
Conclusions: There is a significant increased prevalence of cervical spondylosis among interventional electrophysiologists. Programs to improve ergonomics and minimize time spent wearing lead are needed. The same vigilance that is used to ensure radiation safety in the laboratory should be applied to create ergonomic safety.
Introduction
Interventional electrophysiologists stand, wearing lead for many hours each week. Previous work looking at prevalence of neck and back problems has focused on coronary interventional cardiologists or radiologists and has not included interventional electrophysiologists. Electrophysiology procedures may put different stresses on the spine and these procedures are now much longer than coronary interventional procedures. Hence, the purpose of our study was 3-fold: firstly, to determine the prevalence of cervical and lumbar spondylosis in a group of interventional electrophysiologists, in comparison to a control group of noninterventional cardiologists; secondly, to examine potential predictors of the development of disease; and thirdly, to investigate current practices of ergonomic planning of electrophysiology laboratory and ergonomic training of electrophysiologists.
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