Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis (DQT) and assess the level of awareness regarding its symptoms and risk factors among the general population of smartphone users in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia.
Methods: A cross‑sectional survey was conducted targeting adults (≥18 years) residing in Makkah, Jeddah, and Taif, Saudi Arabia. Participants were recruited via social media platforms using an online questionnaire. The instrument collected data on sociodemographics, smartphone habits (usage duration and device size), and clinical symptoms. A self-administered Finkelstein test was utilized to screen for symptomatic cases.
Results: A total of 350 participants were included. Most participants were aged 18‑40 years (71.4%), with a nearly equal gender distribution. High smartphone usage was common, with 61.7% using their devices for more than 6 hours daily. Approximately 35.1% reported thumb or wrist pain, while 42.0% experienced pain during thumb or wrist movement. Poor awareness of DQT was observed in 79.4% of participants. Significant associations were found between smartphone usage duration and pain (p-value = 0.002) and between phone size and symptoms (p-value = 0.002).
Conclusion: The findings provided an insight into the impact of digital habits on musculoskeletal health in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia. By identifying the most prevalent risk factors and knowledge gaps, this study showed the requirement for targeted awareness campaigns to promote ergonomic smartphone use and early symptom recognition to prevent chronic morbidity.

Key words: De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis, smartphone use, Finkelstein test, prevalence, Saudi Arabia