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Objectives: Neck pain is a frequent spinal pain problem and considered an important health issue in the modern world. Neck pain may originate from intervertebrals discs, ligaments, muscles or of the structures involving the neck. The aim of this study was to find out characteristics along with social and psychological implications of musculoskeletal neck pain amongst children aged 8 to 18 years. Study Design: Descriptive study. Setting: Orthopedic Department of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. Period: March 2017 to February 2018. Material & Methods: A total of 260 children and adolescents of both genders, aged 8 to 18 years and having musculoskeletal neck pain with spasm were enrolled in this study. A structured questionnaire was interviewed from participants or parents/guardians of this study. Results: Out of a total of 260 cases, there were 125 (48.1%) were boys and 135 (51.9%) girls. Most cases, 158 (60.8%) were between the age of 12 to 18 years while mean age amongst study participants was 14.58+2.63 years. Most of the children, 98 (37.7%) were studying in high school. All 260 cases had flawed flexion of back and neck during study and while using mobile phones or similar devices. Pain location involving neck was recorded in all 260 (100%) study participants while shoulder pain was demonstrated by 188 (72.3%). Most common eye symptoms were eye strain, in 64 (24.6%). Most of the cases, 180 (69.2%) were having irritability while poor communication was noted in 164 (63.1%). Conclusion: Musculoskeletal neck pain is frequent amongst children and adolescents. Hunching the head, neck and shoulders on mobile phones and similar devices, as well as improper posture during studying and watching television increase stress on cervical spine area, may be leading to musculoskeletal neck pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of presenting clinical features of asthenopia in madrassa students with different refractive errors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from September November 2022 at different Madrassas in Lahore, Pakistan. Study was performed on a sample of 108 patients, who had different refractive difficulties. Informed consent was taken from the patients aging ≥18 years and from parents/ guardians of patients aging <18 years. A self-designed questionnaire was used to gather the data of all patients. Patients with different refractive errors within the range of 8-25 years were taken into consideration. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 25. A statistically significant p-value of 0.05 was considered. RESULTS: Out of 108 patients, 38 (35.2%) were males and 70 (64.8%) were females. Majority (n=59; 54.6%) were >16 years of age. Common asthenopic symptoms included hazy vision (n=106; 98.1%), headache (n=93; 86.1%), discomfort (n=79; 73.1%), pain (n=76; 70.4%) and eye strain (n=72; 66.7%). Common refractive errors were myopia (n=59; 54.6%), hypermetropia (n=25; 23.2%) and astigmatism (n=24; 22.2%). Severity of refractive errors was mild in majority of cases of myopia (n=24/59; 40.7%) and hypermetropia (n=12/25: 48%) and moderate in astigmatism (n=16; 64%). Headache, eye strain and blurring of vision had significant association with myopia, hypermetropia, and astigmatism. CONCLUSION: Myopia and hypermetropia are the most common refractive errors; hazy vision and headache are the common asthenopic symptoms. There is a strong association between asthenopic symptoms and refractive errors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]