Neurosensory component of hand–arm vibration syndrome: a 22-year follow-up study

Abstract

Background Knowledge about the long-term course of the neurologic component of hand–arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is scarce. Aims To study the course and prognostic factors of the neurosensory component of HAVS over a period of 22 years. Methods Forty male sheet metal workers, with a mean age of 60 (range 45–78) years at follow-up, were examined with a test battery in 1994 and 2017. At baseline, the sample comprised 27 workers with HAVS symptoms and 13 workers without HAVS symptoms. Among the 27 workers, 25 workers reported work-related hand–arm vibration during follow-up (mean 3639 h). In 2017, the mean time since vibration stopped was 8.4 years. Results Among the 27 workers with HAVS in 1994, no overall statistically significant change was observed in hand numbness (Stockholm Workshop Scale), shoulder/arm pain (pain scale) or finger pain from 1994 to 2017. However, vibration exposure during follow-up was associated with increased finger pain. Cotinine, carbohydrate-deficient transferrin, glycosylated haemoglobin and folate were not associated with changes in neurosensory symptoms or manual dexterity (Grooved Pegboard) from 1994 to 2017. A diagnosis of HAVS in 1994 did not predict poor hand strength 22 years later. Isolated hand numbness (without white finger attacks) was more common at baseline than at follow-up. Conclusions This 22-year follow-up study indicates a tendency towards irreversibility of hand numbness and finger pain in workers with HAVS. Continued vibration exposure seems to predict increased finger pain. Our findings highlight the importance of HAVS prevention.

Effect of the level of manual performance disability caused by exposure to vibration among sailors working on sailing speed vessels

“…Vibrations generated by road and marine vehicles and machinery are a frequent source of physical danger in the workplace [ 3 ]. Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is a condition induced by vibrating working instruments that exceed the threshold of vibration in the hands [ 4 ]. Around 25 million employees in Europe are exposed to workplace vibration, which may result in serious damage [ 5 ].…”

“…These include damage to the nervous and vascular systems and musculoskeletal disorders [ 11 ]. The complications caused by the vibration effect on the psychomotor functions are important in terms of safety and health, so they require further assessment and experiments [ 4 ]. Long and repetitive contact with relatively severe vibration on a surface with no rapid destructive effect can harm the health in some professions and jobs [ 12 , 13 ].…”

The clinical consequence of using less than four sensory perception examination methods in the Swedish surveillance system for Hand-Arm vibration syndrome

“…As HAVS in the more advanced stages is considered a chronic condition, only reversible to a small extent in the case of vessel injuries, and virtually irreversible in the case of nerve injuries, prevention is mandated. 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 In Sweden, it has been estimated that approximately 400 000 workers, whereof the majority is male, are exposed to vibrations to such an extent that they are at risk for developing HAVS. 4 In 2016, HAVS was the most common occupational injury in Sweden, 6 representing a fourth of all occupational injuries reported the same year.…”

Vibration Exposure and Transmissibility on Dentist’s Anatomy: A Study of Micro Motors and Air-Turbines

“…To date, there is still a paucity of studies on these hand pieces [ 19 ]. However, present-day strategies such as logging biometric data and accelerometer attachments present an opportunity for assessing the vibrations of dental hand pieces [ 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”