Biomedical subjects

W Eenberg

Publications and source records attributed to W Eenberg.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Validity of self-reporting and video-recording for measuring knee-straining work postures.

The aim of this study was to compare the validity of self-reporting and video-recording as methods of measuring the duration of knee-straining work postures, and to evaluate the reproducibility of timings of the video-recordings. Thirty-nine carpenters and 33 floorlayers were video-filmed while working, and were asked immediately afterwards to quantify the amount of time spent in knee-straining positions. The investigators recorded the periods of knee-straining work with a stopwatch during playback of the video-film, and the agreement between the two investigators' measurements was studied in 13 pairs of measurements. The video-observation method was very effective for timing knee-strain work. Furthermore, Spearman's correlation coefficient (0.88) indicated a good association between observed and self-reported knee-straining work. Estimation of self-reported knee-straining work collected by interview showed good correlation with measurements of video-recordings. When judging the repeatability of timings of knee-straining work from the video-recordings, a high level of agreement was seen between the two observers in the 13 dual measurements of time spent in knee-straining work positions.

Humans↗

PubMed2000

Work-related knee disorders in floor layers and carpenters.

Previous studies indicate an increased prevalence of knee disorders in some occupations possibly related to kneeling working positions. The purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship among knee-straining work, self-reported knee-complaints, and physical signs of knee disorders. The duration of knee-straining work was estimated from videotapes of representative work tasks. Floor layers (n = 133), carpenters (n = 506), and compositors (n = 327) aged 26 to 72 years without previous acute knee traumas were examined in a cross-sectional study by questionnaire. A stratified random sample of the questionnaire responders; 67 floor layers, 127 carpenters, and 101 compositors had independent double examinations for physical signs of knee disorders. The videotapes showed that knee-straining work constituted 56% of working time for floor layers, 26% for carpenters, and none for compositors. The prevalences of self-reported knee-complaints were positively associated with the amount of knee-straining work and were significantly different for the three trades. Floor layers and carpenters who were presently working in their trade had a higher prevalence of knee complaints than floor layers and carpenters who had left their trade. Age, seniority, weight, body mass index, smoking, and knee-straining sports activity had no significant effects. The clinical study showed a positive association for knee-straining work, hyperkeratosis, and bursitis. A similar pattern was found for signs of intraarticular knee disorders by one physician but not by another. The reproducibility of these signs was low. More studies are needed to define clinically important knee disorders for epidemiological studies.

Adult↗

PubMed2000

Radiographic knee osteoarthritis in floorlayers and carpenters.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to examine the relationship between knee-straining work and radiological findings of knee osteoarthritis and to study the relation between radiological findings and self-reported knee complaints and clinical signs of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: The material consisted of 133 floorlayers, 506 carpenters, and 327 compositors, 26-72 years of age, who had completed a questionnaire and reported no previous knee trauma. A stratified sample of these questionnaire respondents, 50 floorlayers, 51 carpenters, and 49 compositors, were radiologically examined for knee osteoarthritis by 2 radiologists. The X-ray films were independently assessed by 2 radiologists and blinded with respect to knee complaints, trade, and age. RESULTS: The radiological investigation showed estimated prevalences of knee-osteoarthritis (grades 2-4) for 14% of the floorlayers, 8% of the carpenters, and 6% of the compositors (not significantly different). For the subjects > or =50 years of age the estimated prevalences of the combination of radiological grades 2-4 for knee osteoarthritis and knee complaints during the last 12 months were 29% [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 17-44%], 9% (95% CI 1-26%), and 1% (95% CI 1-10%) for the floorlayers, carpenters, and compositors, respectively. Radiological grades 2-4 were mainly found for subjects above the age of 50 years, subjects with knee complaints, and floorlayers. Radiological knee osteoarthritis was positively associated with self-reported knee complaints and with clinical signs of intraarticular and retropatellar crepitation. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest that work in which a considerable amount of time is spent in knee-straining positions may be a risk factor for the development of knee osteoarthritis above the age of 50 years.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Occupation as a risk factor for knee disorders.

The objective of the present study was to review the literature on the risk of knee disorders in connection with kneeling or squatting work and heavy physical work. A systematic review of the literature revealed 19 controlled studies on this correlation: 16 on osteoarthrosis, 5 on bursitis, 3 on meniscal lesions, and 0 on chondromalacia. All the studies demonstrated a significantly increased prevalence of knee osteoarthrosis (all degrees) for subjects with kneeling or squatting work. The prevalence ratio in most of these studies was between 1.4 and 4. Four of eight studies demonstrated a significantly increased prevalence of knee osteoarthrosis in subjects with heavy physical work. The prevalence ratio in most of these studies was between 1.4 and 4.1. All the studies on bursitis showed an increased prevalence of bursitis in subjects with kneeling work. Occupational exposure could not be sufficiently documented as the cause of meniscal lesions and chondromalacia.

Adolescent↗