PREVALENCE OF DE-QUERVAIN’S SYNDROME IN MOBILE GAMERS AMONG THE GENERAL POPULATION WITHIN DIFFERENT CITIES OF PAKISTAN
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/gfg52h26Keywords:
De-Quervain’s syndrome, Mobile phone, Pakistan, ergonomics, gaming, hand, wrist painAbstract
Background: De Quervain’s Syndrome (DS) is a common form of tenosynovitis involving the tendons of the wrist and thumb, frequently resulting from repetitive strain. With the global rise in mobile phone use, and mobile gaming in particular, concerns have increased about its musculoskeletal impact on young populations. Prolonged gaming sessions requiring repetitive thumb and wrist movements place individuals at greater risk of developing DS. Understanding its prevalence among mobile gamers in Pakistan provides valuable insight for preventive strategies and health promotion.
Objective: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of De Quervain’s Syndrome and its association with mobile gaming in the general population of Pakistan.
Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted over six months, enrolling 500 participants aged 15–40 years from Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta, Karachi, Peshawar, and Gilgit through non-probability convenience sampling. The presence of DS was clinically assessed using Finkelstein’s test, while pain severity and functional impairment were evaluated using the Patient-Rated Wrist and Hand Evaluation (PRWHE) questionnaire. Sample size was calculated using Rao-Soft software, and all data were analyzed with IBM SPSS version 21.
Results: Of the 500 participants, 310 (62%) were females and 190 (38%) males, with a mean age of 22.36 ± 4.38 years. Mobile gaming was reported by 394 (78.8%) participants. Among gamers, 301 (76.4%) tested positive on Finkelstein’s test for DS compared to 33 (31.1%) among non-gamers. Symptom severity among gamers was distributed as 15% with no symptoms, 28.7% minimal, 36.3% mild, 17.3% moderate, and 2.8% severe. A significant association was established between gaming and DS (p < 0.001), with a correlation coefficient of 0.393, indicating a moderate positive relationship.
Conclusion: De Quervain’s Syndrome was highly prevalent among mobile gamers, demonstrating a strong association with gaming behaviors. The findings highlight the importance of ergonomic guidelines, awareness programs, and preventive measures to reduce musculoskeletal risks in frequent mobile phone users.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Nemra Shah, Muhammad Mustafa, Azka Batool, Saleem Shezad, Muhammad Affan Iqbal, Ayesha Khalid, Afia Ashgar (Author)
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