Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders Among Perfusion Staff in Germany

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are highly prevalent among healthcare workers, particularly nurses, with reported prevalence rates ranging from 57% to 93%. Perfusionists are highly specialized healthcare professionals responsible for operating heart-lung machines during cardiac surgery. To date, the prevalence of MSDs in this professional group has not been systematically investigated. To address this gap, perfusionists in Germany were surveyed regarding MSDs. Methods: The German version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was administered. Pearson's correlation and chi-square tests were applied. Results: A total of 287 perfusionists (72 female, 215 male; age 42.6 ± 11.9 years, professional experience 13.5 ± 10.9 years) from 45 German cardiac centers participated. Overall, 86% reported MSDs, with the lower back (65.5%) and neck (58.9%) being the most frequently affected regions, and 4.5% to 36.6% in other body regions. Increasing age was significantly associated with a higher prevalence in six body regions, and greater professional experience was associated in five regions. Occupational risk factors previously identified in nursing are assumed to apply to perfusion practice. Conclusions: This study demonstrates a high prevalence of MSDs among perfusionists in Germany. These findings underscore the need for preventive measures, coping strategies, and further research to reduce work-related musculoskeletal strain among perfusionists.