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Serum and MRI biomarkers in mobile device texting: a pilot study
Human Factors
|August 22, 2014
Summary
High volume texting may lead to early tendinopathy with inflammation, indicated by elevated serum TNF-RI. Further research is needed to confirm this link between texting habits and thumb tendon disorders.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Musculoskeletal Research
- Digital Health
Background:
- Text messaging is prevalent among young adults.
- High texting volume raises concerns for musculoskeletal disorders like tendinopathies.
- The pathophysiology of tendinopathies remains largely unelucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in serum biochemical and MRI biomarkers between high and low volume texters.
- To explore correlations between biochemical and imaging biomarkers for understanding early tendinopathy pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Serum analysis of 20 biomarkers related to inflammation, degeneration, and repair.
- Conventional MRI and MRI mean intratendinous signal intensity (MISI) assessment of thumb tendons.
- Correlation analysis between MISI and serum biomarkers in ten female participants.
Main Results:
- Three high-volume texters exhibited MRI tendinopathy findings, versus one low-volume texter.
- Elevated serum TNF-RI was observed in high-volume texters.
- Serum TNF-RI, TNF-alpha, and ILI-RI correlated with MISI in thumb tendons.
Conclusions:
- Prolific texting may be associated with early-onset tendinopathy and inflammation.
- High-volume texting could be a risk factor for future thumb tendinopathy.
- Multidisciplinary biomarker research can illuminate musculoskeletal disorder pathophysiology.
