Cross-Sectional Study of the Relationship Between Repetitive Work and the Prevalence of Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Disorders

Details

• Personal Author:
  Albers JW ; Armstrong TJ ; Franzblau, Alfred ; Latko WA ; Ulin SS ; Werner RA
• Description:
  BACKGROUND: This study examined the relationship of repetitive work and other physical stressors to prevalence of upper limb discomfort, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. METHODS: Three hundred fifty-two workers from three companies participated. Job exposure levels for repetition and other physical stressors were quantified using an observational rating technique. Ergonomic exposures were rated on a 10-point scale, where 0 corresponded to no stress and 10 corresponded to maximum stress. Job selection was based on repetition (three categories: high, medium, and low) to ensure a wide range of exposures. Physical evaluations on all participating workers were performed by medical professionals and included a self-administered questionnaire, physical exam, and limited electrodiagnostic testing. RESULTS: Repetitiveness of work was found to be significantly associated with prevalence of reported discomfort in the wrist, hand, or fingers (odds ratio (OR) = 1.17 per unit of repetition; OR = 2.45 for high vs. low repetition), tendinitis in the distal upper extremity (OR = 1.23 per unit of repetition; OR = 3.23 for high vs. low repetition), and symptoms consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome (OR = 1.16 per unit of repetition; OR = 2.32 for high vs. low repetition). An association was also found between repetitiveness of work and carpal tunnel syndrome, indicated by the combination of positive electrodiagnostic results and symptoms consistent with carpal tunnel syndrome (OR = 1. 22 per unit of repetition; OR = 3.11 for high vs. low repetition). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that repetitive work is related to upper limb discomfort, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome in workers. Further research with a wider range of exposures is needed to evaluate the effects of other physical stresses alone and in combination. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Physical Stress Repetitive Work Traumatic Injuries
• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan ; OSHA Region 5
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  248-259
• Volume:
  36
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20031287
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 1999 Aug; 36(2):248-259
• Contact Point Address:
  Alfred Franzblau, University of Michigan, School of Public Health, 1420 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2029
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  1999
• NORA Priority Area:
  Grants Other
• Performing Organization:
  University of Michigan, School of Public Health, Ann Arbor, MI
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19920901
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  19960430
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:02bb2f91dedec730c8fb1214ddd8eedc24d6f300f1af04f433362ba3805ba7ccb2d124b54865d6d1e0f2583c2d3560b51bfc4e543df5d6985ce941cc3e3e0ae4
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/191581/cdc_191581_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 179.38 KB ]