Rao, SRMhatre, PPAmbike, AAAdarkar, SAGupta, VParanjape, RMSaraf, PHRaul, SKKadam, ES2024-12-022024-12-022024-01Rao SR, Mhatre PP, Ambike AA, Adarkar SA, Gupta V, Paranjape RM, Saraf PH, Raul SK, Kadam ES. Health impact of screen addiction: A cross-sectional comparative study. National Medical Journal of India. 2024 Jan; 37(1): 18-210970-258X2583-150Xhttps://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/240472Background Prevalence-based, non-comparative studies have been done to assess psychological and physical consequences of social media and gaming addiction. However, similar studies are lacking for binge-watching, especially in India. We compared the physical and psychological health impact between screen addicted and healthy screen users, by minimizing bias due to confounding factors. Methods We did this cross-sectional comparative study among 120 participants (60 cases and 60 matched controls) consisting of gamers, social media users and binge-watchers, who were recruited from schools and colleges of Mumbai based on their scores on the Digital Addiction Scale (DAS). Levels of depression, anxiety and stress; sleep quality; and dry eye disease were assessed using pre-validated scales such as DASS-21, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI), respectively, while the other variables were assessed using a self-designed questionnaire with a content validity ratio (CVR) >0.65. Results The mean (SD) age of the participants was 19.3 (3.2) years, one-third were women; 68% were from medical colleges and 16% each from engineering colleges and high schools. The prevalence and scores of depression, anxiety and stress; poor sleep quality; and dry eye disease; and prevalence of loneliness, aggression and musculoskeletal pain in the wrist, thumb, neck and back were significantly higher in the screen addicted group (p<0.05). Conclusions There was a significant difference in the prevalence and levels of physical and psychological health impact between screen addicted and healthy screen users.Journal ArticleIndiaDepartment of Medicine, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Medicine, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Medicine, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Psychiatry, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Medicine, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Medicine, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Medicine, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Medicine, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Medicine, Seth GS Medical College and KEM Hospital, Acharya Donde Marg, Parel, Mumbai 400012, Maharashtra, India