Musculoskeletal pain among medical students and its association with perceived stress level: A cross-sectional study

Musculoskeletal pain (MSP) is common among medical students across the world. The present study was done to estimate the prevalence of MSP among medical students in the state of Sikkim, India, and to assess perceived stress levels among medical students and its association with MSP.

A cross-sectional study was carried out at a private medical college in the state of Sikkim, India. Fifty students each from the third, fifth, seventh, and ninth semesters were included in the study. Students were asked to complete a questionnaire that included data regarding lifestyle habits and activities, the modified Nordic scale for MSP, perceived stress score (PSS-10), and Oswestry disability index (ODI) questionnaire.

The majority (73%) of the participants reported one or more episodes of MSP in the past 12 months and 50% of them had pain in the past 7 days. No significant association was found between MSP and lifestyle habits, mean time spent on physical activities and sedentary behavior. The perceived stress level was significantly higher among those with MSP in the past 12 months (19.7 ± 5.6) (P-0.021), as well as in those who had MSP in the past 7 days (20.8 ± 5.5) (P-0.001). Severe pain was significantly associated with a higher perceived stress score (23 ± 5) (P-0.003). Students who had MSP in the past 12 months as well as in past 7 days had a higher quality of life score (9.8 ± 10.6, P-0.039 and 13 ± 10.9, P-0.000, respectively).

The majority of our medical students have experienced musculoskeletal pain in the past 12 months, which is significantly associated with perceived stress and quality of life.