Biomedical subjects

Study Group on Repetitive Work

Publications and source records attributed to Study Group on Repetitive Work.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Incidence of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow in repetitive work.

OBJECTIVES: Despite the high frequency of work-related musculoskeletal disorders, the relation between work conditions and ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow has not been the object of much research. In the present study, the predictive factors for such ulnar nerve entrapment were determined in a 3-year prospective survey of upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders in repetitive work. METHODS: In 1993-1994 and 3 years later, 598 workers whose jobs involved repetitive work underwent an examination by their occupational health physicians and completed a self-administered questionnaire. Predictive factors associated with the onset of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow were studied with bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: The annual incidence was estimated at 0.8% per person-year, on the basis of 15 new cases during the 3-year period. Holding a tool in position was the only predictive biomechanical factor [odds ratio (OR) 4.1, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.4-12.0]. Obesity increased the risk of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.2-16.2), as did the presence of medial epicondylitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, radial tunnel syndrome, and cervicobrachial neuralgia. The associations with "holding a tool in position" and obesity were unchanged when the presence of other diagnoses was taken into account. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the limitations of the study, the results suggest that the incidence of ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow is associated with one biomechanical risk factor (holding a tool in position, repetitively), overweight, and other upper-limb work-related musculoskeletal disorders, especially medial epicondylitis and other nerve entrapment disorders (cervicobrachial neuralgia and carpal and radial tunnel syndromes).

Adult↗

PubMed2004

Incidence of shoulder pain in repetitive work.

AIMS: To determine the predictiveness of personal and occupational factors for the onset of shoulder pain in occupations requiring repetitive work. METHODS: A sample of 598 workers in five activity sectors completed a self administered questionnaire in 1993-94 and again three years later. Both questionnaires included questions about shoulder pain. The associations between various factors at baseline and subsequent shoulder pain were studied among subjects free from shoulder pain at baseline. RESULTS: The incidence of shoulder pain was associated with several independent risk factors: depressive symptoms, low level of job control, and biomechanical constraints. After adjustment for other risk factors, the presence of depressive symptoms predicted occurrence of shoulder pain. A low level of job control was also associated with the onset of shoulder pain in both sexes. For men, repetitive use of a tool was a strong predictor, while the two most important biomechanical risk factors for women were use of vibrating tools and working with arms above shoulder level. CONCLUSION: This study used a longitudinal approach to examine different sets of risk factors for shoulder pain simultaneously. The results confirm the role of several biomechanical constraints. Psychological symptoms and a low level of job control also play a role.

Adult↗

PubMed2003

Medial epicondylitis in occupational settings: prevalence, incidence and associated risk factors.

Because medial epicondylitis has not been studied alone, we investigated its links between personal and occupational factors in repetitive work and its course. A total of 1757 workers were examined by an occupational health physician in 1993-1994. Five hundred ninety-eight of them were reexamined 3 years later. Prevalence was between 4% and 5%, with an annual incidence estimate at 1.5%. Forceful work was a risk factor (odds ratio [OR], 1.95; confidence interval [CI] = 1.15-3.32), but not exposure to repetitive work (OR, 1.11; CI = 0.59-2.10). Workers with medial epicondylitis had a significantly higher prevalence of other work-related upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders (WRMD). Risk factors differed for medial and lateral epicondylitis. The prognosis for medial epicondylitis in this population was good with a 3-year recovery rate at 81%. Medial epicondylitis was clearly associated with forceful work and other upper-limb WRMD, and its prognosis was good.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Upper-limb disorders in repetitive work.

OBJECTIVES: A longitudinal study was conducted to determine the predictability of personal and occupational factors with respect to the incidence of upper-limb disorders in occupations requiring repetitive work. METHODS: A sample of 598 workers in five activity sectors completed a self-administered questionnaire; the workers were examined by an occupational health physician in 1993-1994 and 3 years later. Three disorders were considered, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), lateral epicondylitis and wrist tendinitis. RESULTS: The results of this longitudinal study indicated that the following three sets of risk factors independently affect the incidence of upper-limb disorders: (i) biomechanical constraints, (ii) psychosocial factors, and (iii) personal factors. The combination of risk factors differed between CTS, lateral epicondylitis, and wrist tendinitis. The presence of psychosomatic problems was a strong predictor of wrist tendinitis. Social support at work was also associated with the incidence of wrist tendinitis. The presence of depressive symptoms and other upper-limb disorders predicted the first occurrence of lateral epicondylitis. Age was associated only with epicondylitis. The results were consistent with those concerning the role of forceful movements of the elbow for epicondylitis and confirmed the role of forceful movements for CTS. CONCLUSIONS: This study considered different sets of risk factors simultaneously with a longitudinal approach, in a population with a high level of occupational exposure. The results indicate that three sets of risk factors independently affect the incidence of upper-limb disorders. In addition to biomechanical constraints, psychosocial and personal factors play a role.

Adult↗