Association of Some Demographic Factors with Undiagnosed Neuromuscular Insufficiencies; A Survey Report

Abstract

To investigate the factors that may contribute to develop  Neuromuscular insufficiencies  in the general population of Karachi  like age  origin, occupation, kind of work, daily water intake, daily working hours and exposure time to various screens etc. Questionnaire-based survey. 150 individuals ranging between 15-65 years were interviewed with the help of a self-designed questionnaire.  The data was analyzed statistically by using Microsoft Excel. Neuromuscular indications and difficulties were positive in 79% of the interviewed individuals. A major number of subjects complained to have different neuromuscular insufficiencies including, body pain (68%), joint pain (42%), numbness (42%) and muscle weakness (63%). Some of the participants reported to suffer with the difficulties in walking (13%), running (25%), holding (7%) and muscular strength (9%). However, only 29% of these sufferers were formerly diagnosed with any neuromuscular disease with18% had a family history of neuromuscular disorders. Remaining i.e., 71% are those who have not been diagnosed with any disorder and they were suffering with these symptoms. Among these un-diagnosed participants 53% had consanguineous marriages among their parents. Those, who were reported to have any of the neuromuscular problem includes: 26% students, 31% office workers, 11% labours and 33% housewives. An important factor that has appeared to contribute mainly in the development of neuromuscular insufficiencies is the time for exposure to screens like TV, Computer, Cell phone etc. Among these undiagnosed participants who were suffering with neuromuscular problem(s), 93% are being exposed to these screens for more than 5 hours a day. Another most important factor was appeared to be the daily water intake as most (88%) of those individuals’ daily water intake was less than 10 glasses per day. Back pain was the major complaint observed through this data which seems to be related with prolonged inappropriate posture.