Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are caused by repetitive and non-physiological constraints. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and localization of MSDs among health care professionals (HCPs)  in endoscopy units; the secondary objective was to identify risk factors.

Questionnaires were distributed in French-speaking hospitals in Belgium—one for physicians and one for nurses. Collected data included demographics, occupational background, and self-reported MSDs. Correlation tests were performed to assess the association between potential risk factors (sex, hand size, physical and endoscopic activity) and the presence of MSDs

A total of 63 physicians and 42 nurses participated, representing a variety of work settings (university hospitals, private practices, retired professionals, and trainees). Among physicians, 84.1% reported at least one MSD. The most affected anatomical region was the thumb (55.6%), followed by the lower back (54%), and hands (42.9%). Among nurses, 97.6% reported MSDs, with the lumbar region most affected (85.7%), followed by the upper back (73.8%), and the neck and shoulder (69%).

These symptoms affected work performance, leading to temporary work interruptions. In the physician group, 17.5% had taken sick leave due to MSDs, mainly attributed to lower-back pain (7.9%). In the nursing group, 54.8% reported temporary interruptions, again with the lumbar region being the most frequently involved (35,7%).

Chi-square correlation tests were performed to evaluate the association between the occurrence of MSD and some risk factors but  no statistically significant correlations were identified, probably due to the limited sample size.

This observational study reveals a high prevalence of MSDs among HCPs in endoscopy units, leading to a signifiant impact on work performance.