Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40968203›Full record

ArticleEuropean archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery2025

Work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among ear, nose and throat physicians in germany: a National survey.

Antonia Lakomek, Theda Eichler, Tim Janßen, Moritz Meyer, Benedikt Höing, Kazim Shiraliyev, Stephan Lang, Börge Schmidt, Diana Arweiler-Harbeck

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Antonia LakomekDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, Essen, 45147, Germany. antoniaklara.lakomek@uk-essen.de.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1374-9275
Theda EichlerDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, Essen, 45147, Germany.
Tim JanßenQuality Management and Clinical Risk Management, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, Essen, 45147, Germany.
Moritz MeyerDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Facial, Head, Neck and Scull Base Surgery, Catholic Hospital Koblenz-Montabaur, Rudolf-Virchow-Str. 7-9, Koblenz, 56073, Germany.
Benedikt HöingDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, Essen, 45147, Germany.
Kazim ShiraliyevDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, Essen, 45147, Germany.
Stephan LangDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, Essen, 45147, Germany.
Börge SchmidtDepartment of Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, Essen, 45147, Germany.
Diana Arweiler-HarbeckDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Essen, Hufelandstraße 55, Essen, 45147, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundWork-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD) are an increasing concern among surgeons, especially otorhinolaryngologists (ENT physicians), due to prolonged static postures and repetitive movements during clinical practice. However, data on the prevalence of WRMD among ENT physicians in Germany are lacking.

methodsA nationwide online survey was conducted among members of the German Society for ENT to assess demographic data, work-related factors, and musculoskeletal complaints. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

resultsA total of 751 ENT physicians participated (53% female; mean age 51 years). Lifetime prevalence of neck complaints was 93%, with 82% reporting symptoms in the past 12 months. Shoulders, upper and lower back were also frequently affected. More than a half (53%) reported limitations in professional activities, and 22% had taken sick leave due to these complaints. The prevalence of symptoms increased with years of professional experience. Female physicians reported higher rates of neck and upper back complaints compared to males.

conclusionThis study reveals a high prevalence and significant burden of WRMD among German ENT physicians, particularly in the neck and upper back regions. The findings emphasize the urgent need for preventive measures to improve occupational health and maintain professional longevity in this population.

Indexed as

Musculoskeletal DiseasesOccupational DiseasesOtolaryngologistsOtolaryngologyAdultAgedFemaleGermanyHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrevalenceSurveys and Questionnaires

Identifiers

PMID40968203
PMCPMC12605606

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.