Associations between work-related factors and specific disorders of the shoulder – a systematic review of the literature

Abstract

van Rijn RM, Huisstede BMA, Koes BW, Burdorf A. Associations between work-related factors and specific disorders of the shoulder -a systematic review of the literature.literature. . Scand J Work Environ Health. 2010;36(3):189-201.Objective Our aim was to provide a quantitative assessment of the exposure-response relationships between work-related physical and psychosocial factors and the occurrence of specific shoulder disorders in occupational populations.Methods A systematic review of the literature was conducted on the associations between type of work, physical load factors, and psychosocial aspects at work, on the one hand, and the occurrence of tendinitis of the biceps on the one hand, and the occurrence of tendinitis of the biceps and the occurrence of tendinitis of the biceps tendon, rotator cuff tears, subacromial impingement syndrome (SIS), and suprascapular nerve compression, on the , on the other hand. Associations between work factors and shoulder disorders were expressed in quantitative measures as . Associations between work factors and shoulder disorders were expressed in quantitative measures as odds ratio (OR) or relative risk (RR). ResultsThe occurrence of SIS was associated with force requirements >10% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), lifting >20 kg >10 times/day, and high-level of hand force >1 hour/day (OR 2.8-4.2). Repetitive movements of the shoulder, repetitive motion of the hand/wrist >2 hours/day, hand-arm vibration, and working with hand above shoulder level showed an association with SIS (OR 1.04-4.7) as did upper-arm flexion ≥45° ≥15% of time (OR 2.43) and duty cycle of forceful exertions ≥9% time or duty cycle of forceful pinch >0% of time (OR 2.66). High psychosocial job demand was also associated with SIS (OR 1.5-3.19). Jobs in the fish processing industry had the highest risk for both tendinitis of the biceps tendon as well as SIS (OR 2.28 and 3.38, respectively). Work in a slaughterhouse and as a betel pepper leaf culler were associated with the occurrence of SIS only (OR 5.27 and 4.68, respectively). None of the included articles described the association between job title/risk factors and the occurrence of rotator cuff tears or suprascapular nerve compression. ConclusionsHighly repetitive work, forceful exertion in work, awkward postures, and high psychosocial job demand are associated with the occurrence of SIS. Shoulder disorders and complaints constitute an important health problem in the working population. In a general population, reported prevalences of shoulder complaints range from 6.9-26% for point prevalence, 18.6-31% for one-month prevalence, and 4.7-46.7% for one-year prevalence (1). In the United Kingdom, shoulder complaints accounted for 12% of the work-related diseases in the period 1997-2000 (2). Silverstein et al reported a claim incidence rate for shoulder disorders of for shoulder disorders of of 54.0 per 10 000 fulltime equivalents per year (3). The relationship between shoulder disorders/complaints and work-related factors has been reviewed by several...

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