PREVALENCE OF LATERAL EPICONDYLITIS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG CHEFS IN ISLAMABAD AND RAWALPINDI

Abstract

Lateral epicondylitis (LE) is a recognised occupational musculoskeletal disorder (OMSD) and histologically it is a degenerative tendinosis of the common extensor origin, but there is a lack of data in relation to the chefs in Pakistan. This descriptive cross sectional study aimed at estimation of prevalence of LE and its correlation with quality of life in chefs of restaurants and hotels of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. A semi-structured questionnaire consisting of demographics items, eligibility items, the Patient-Rated Tennis Elbow Evaluation (PRTEE) and the Oxford Elbow Score (OES) were completed using non-probability purposive sampling with 377 chefs, aged between 25 and 50, (with 474 questionnaires returned, 97 excluded). Descriptive statistics and chi square tests were used to analyse data in SPSS version 29. Most participants were aged 25–34 years (67.4%), male (96.0%) and right-hand dominant (91.5%). The prevalence of LE was 11.9% (45/377; 95% CI 9.0–15.6%); 37 cases involved the right and 8 the left elbow, 43 cases were mild and 2 moderate, and none was severe. PRTEE categories were significantly associated with OES pain (χ² = 517.279), function (χ² = 452.922) and psychosocial (χ² = 367.498) domains (all p < .001). Therefore, symptomatic LE was common in this occupational group, mainly involved the right elbow, and was associated with a decrease in elbow-specific health status. Case definition was based on a self-reported instrument, and therefore, it is a probable number of cases. It is recommended to implement ergonomic and preventive programmes for chefs.