Post written by Azizullah Beran, MD, from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess the prevalence, characteristics, and burden of endoscopy-related injury (ERI).

GI endoscopy is a crucial part of a gastroenterologist’s daily practice. However, it is physically demanding and increases musculoskeletal injuries. As a result, gastroenterologists are particularly at risk for ERI. This meta-analysis strived to summarize the existing literature on ERI prevalence and explore sex differences in these injuries.

The meta-analysis of 26 studies involving 6246 endoscopists found a high prevalence of ERIs at 67.9%, with female gastroenterologists experiencing higher rates than males. Neck pain was the most common ERI, followed by low back and thumb pain. Significant sex differences were observed, with women reporting more ERIs overall, except for elbow pain, which was more common in men. Notably, only 20% of endoscopists received prior ergonomic training.

These findings emphasize the importance of integrating ergonomic principles into gastroenterology practices to reduce the risk of ERIs, especially given the shortage of gastroenterologists. Future research should prioritize developing an evidence-based ergonomics curriculum and evaluating its effectiveness in lowering ERI rates among gastroenterologists.

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