Can a battery of functional and sensory tests corroborate the sensorineural complaints of subjects working with vibrating tools?

Cock, N.; Piette, Alain; Malchaire, Jacques

doi:10.1007/s004200000133

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…37 38 For stage 1 (only intermittent numbness or tingling), however, there are less clear associations between symptoms and QST. 39 In a separate study (unpublished data), we performed more detailed clinical examinations in 20 of the 25 mechanics classified in stage 3, according to the Stockholm Workshop scale. Many of them also had objective signs of decreased sensory perception or tactile discrimination, as well as abnormal neurophysiological findings.…”

Section: White Fingermentioning

confidence: 99%

Hand-arm vibration syndrome in Swedish car mechanics

Barregård

Ehrenström²,

Marcus³

2003

Occup Environ Med

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Aims: To assess the occurrence of hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in Swedish car mechanics, and the relation between HAVS and duration of exposure. Methods: A total of 806 mechanics answered a questionnaire on vascular and neurological symptoms, and exposure to vibrations. Mechanics with symptoms, and some mechanics without symptoms, were invited to a clinical examination, including also a timed Allen test. Vascular and neurological symptoms were classified using the Stockholm Workshop scales. The mean daily exposure (mainly using nut-runners) was 14 minutes and the mean exposure duration, 12 years. Published data have shown vibration levels in nut-runners of about 3.5 m/s 2 . Results: In the questionnaire, 24% reported cold induced white finger (WF), 25% persistent numbness, and 13%, reduced grip force. The clinical examination showed a prevalence of vibration induced white finger (VWF) of about 15%, mainly in stage 2, and after 20 years, of 25%. A survival analysis showed similar results. We found that the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) model underestimates the risk of VWF. The incidence after 1975 was 19 cases per 1000 person-years. Slow refill times in the timed Allen test were common (15% had a refill time of >20 seconds), and associated with the presence of VWF. The clinical examination revealed neurological symptoms in the hands in about 25% of subjects, mainly at stage 2. After 20 years, the prevalence was 40%. The questionnaire items on WF and numbness both showed likelihood ratios of 13. Conclusion: HAVS is common among Swedish car mechanics in spite of short daily exposure times. This underlines the need for preventive measures.

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Section: White Fingermentioning

confidence: 99%

Hand-arm vibration syndrome in Swedish car mechanics

Barregård

Ehrenström²,

Marcus³

2003

Occup Environ Med

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“…Vibrotactile thresholds measured on the fingers are currently used in several countries in Europe for assessing neurological dysfunction in workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration [2,4,30,33]. Vibrotactile thresholds measured on the fingers are currently used in several countries in Europe for assessing neurological dysfunction in workers exposed to hand-transmitted vibration [2,4,30,33].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Normative vibrotactile thresholds measured at five European test centres

Lindsell

Griffin

2003

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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Objectives: To compare vibrotactile thresholds between five international test centres, to determine causes of variability, and to provide normative data for use by health professionals. Methods: Vibrotactile thresholds were measured on various fingers in 1,008 subjects at 31.5 Hz (2,531 measurements) and at 125 Hz (2,807 measurements). Three centres used the up-anddown method of limits, rate of change of stimulus 3dB/s, to obtain vibrotactile thresholds. The push force on the surround was 2 N, the probe contact force was 1 N and the probe diameter was 6 mm concentric to a 10-mm diameter hole in the surround. One centre used an up-and-down method of limits with a 5-dB step and a 1.26-mm diameter probe with no surround. Another centre used a stepping algorithm, no surround, and the force on the 6-mm-diameter probe was unspecified. Results: The 31.5-Hz thresholds and 125-Hz thresholds, expressed in dB, were similar between centres using similar methods. There were small (<5 dB) differences in vibrotactile thresholds between male and female subjects, between white-collar and blue-collar workers and between fingers. Both 31.5-Hz and 125-Hz thresholds increased with age; the mean effect of age on 31.5-Hz thresholds was approximately 2 dB over 25 years, while the effect of age on 125 Hz-thresholds was as high as 10 dB over 25 years. Conclusions: Vibrotactile thresholds are influenced by measurement method but can be similar at different centres if similar methods are used. Effects of measurement location and gender are often negligible. Thresholds depend on age, but over the range of ages considered, only the effect on 125-Hz thresholds is sufficient for correction; methods of correcting for age are given. These normative data may be used to assist the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy involving vibrotactile sensation.

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“…Estudos indicam haver uma maior freqüência de trabalhadores que manipulam instrumentos que emitem esse tipo de energia e, conseqüentemente, submetem-se a uma maior exposição nas extremidades superiores (2)(3)(4) . Os primeiros estudos a respeito da exposição à vibração nas extremidades superiores consideraram principalmente os efeitos vasculares e osteoarticulares; no entanto, a ocorrência de outras desordens foi explicitada posteriormente, como decréscimo da força máxima de preensão palmar, formigamento e diminuição da sensibilidade tátil (5)(6) . Em se tratando da vibração do corpo inteiro, há uma superfície que vibra suportando o corpo humano em pé, sentado ou deitado; esta forma de exposição ocorre em todas as opções de meios de transporte (4,7) .…”

Section: Introductionunclassified

A vibração como um fator de risco para a saúde ocupacional

Sebastião

Marziale

2009

Cienc. Cuid. Saúde

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RESUMOA vibração pode ser um fator etiológico para algumas doenças relacionadas ao trabalho. Ela pode incidir no corpo inteiro ou apenas nas mãos, causando danos à saúde. O presente estudo tem como objetivo identificar na literatura nacional e internacional quais os trabalhadores que estão expostos à vibração, os fatores de risco e as possíveis conseqüências para a sua saúde. A pesquisa bibliográfica sistematizada foi realizada através de indexadores nacionais e internacionais no período entre 1995 e 2007. Constatou-se que os trabalhadores expostos a esse tipo de agente físico exercem atividades em setores variados, principalmente no industrial e no de transporte, e que as conseqüências para a saúde desses trabalhadores são insidiosas e, às vezes, irreversíveis. As lesões no sistema musculoesquelético, vascular e nervoso periférico são as de maior relevância.Palavras-chave: Vibração. Saúde Ocupacional. Exposição Ocupacional. INTRODUÇÃOA vibração relacionada ao trabalho constituise em um importante fator de risco à saúde, podendo provocar sérias conseqüências ao organismo. Ela resulta de uma fonte emissora de vibração mecânica que incide nas mãos e, através delas, no organismo e no corpo inteiro (1)(2)(3) . Os efeitos da vibração no organismo humano dependem de diversos fatores, em particular, da intensidade das vibrações, dos limites de freqüência, direção, ponto de penetração, tempo e forma de aplicação diária, bem como do tempo em que o profissional a ela vem se submetendo. Estudos indicam haver uma maior freqüência de trabalhadores que manipulam instrumentos que emitem esse tipo de energia e, conseqüentemente, submetem-se a uma maior exposição nas extremidades superiores (2)(3)(4) . Os primeiros estudos a respeito da exposição à vibração nas extremidades superiores consideraram principalmente os efeitos vasculares e osteoarticulares; no entanto, a ocorrência de outras desordens foi explicitada posteriormente, como decréscimo da força máxima de preensão palmar, formigamento e diminuição da sensibilidade tátil (5)(6) . Em se tratando da vibração do corpo inteiro, há uma superfície que vibra suportando o corpo humano em pé, sentado ou deitado; esta forma de exposição ocorre em todas as opções de meios de transporte (4,7) . Estudos com motoristas de ônibus e de caminhão e com corredores de rally relatam que esses trabalham sob níveis de vibração anormais (entre quatro e oito Hertz) e potencialmente danosos à saúde, principalmente devido a comportamentos dinâmicos inadequados dos assentos, o que traz seqüelas diretas à coluna vertebral (2,8) .A exposição através dos membros superiores ocorre ao manusear equipamentos vibratórios, o que se vê em trabalhadores industriais, agricultores, mineradores, profissionais odontólogos e trabalhadores da construção, dentre outros profissionais (4,(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)

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Can a battery of functional and sensory tests corroborate the sensorineural complaints of subjects working with vibrating tools?

Abstract: The sensorineural symptoms at stage N1 on the Stockholm scale, experienced occasionally by some 40% of the users of vibrating tools, could not be corroborated by the functional and sensory tests.

Cited by 6 publications

References 21 publications

Hand-arm vibration syndrome in Swedish car mechanics

Hand-arm vibration syndrome in Swedish car mechanics

Normative vibrotactile thresholds measured at five European test centres

A vibração como um fator de risco para a saúde ocupacional

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