Repetitive industrial work and neck and upper limb disorders in females

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was performed in which physical examinations of the neck and upper limbs were conducted on 82 currently working female industrial workers with exposure to repetitive work tasks and on 64 currently working referent subjects without exposure to repetitive work tasks. Associations between results of symptom questions and physical examination were sought with variables related to the work environment and to the individuals. In a multivariate model, there were statistically significant associations between exposure to repetitive work and diagnoses in both the neck/shoulders (prevalence odds ratio, POR = 4.6) and elbows/hands (POR = 3.5). In addition, age (POR = 1.9, 75th vs. 25th percentiles), tendencies towards subjective muscular tension (POR = 2.3), and stress/worry (POR = 1.9) were also associated with diagnoses in the neck/shoulders; however, there was not an association between these variables and the prevalence of diagnoses in elbows/hands. Standardized evaluation of videotape recordings in 74 of the industrial workers revealed significant associations between neck flexion, and elevation and abduction of the arm and the prevalence of neck/shoulder diagnoses. In the multivariate model, neck flexion was significantly associated with diagnoses in the neck/shoulders (p = 0.005). In addition, low muscle strength, lack of emotional well-being at work, and a variety of psychosomatic symptoms were associated with diagnoses in the neck/shoulders (all p < 0.001). Lack of strength was also associated with disorders of elbows/hands (p = 0.007). This study demonstrated a substantial prevalence of neck and upper limb disorders associated with repetitive work performed with a flexed neck and elevated and abducted arms, as well as a possible potentiation of these ergonomic factors by certain personal traits in some workers.

Shoulder disorders and occupation

“…It is noteworthy that few epidemiological studies have involved an examination component which specifically attempted to discriminate bicipital tendinitis. Of those that have, most have used criteria based upon those of Cyriax: shoulder pain, local tenderness over the tendon, and pain on resisted isometric elevation of the arm and/or resisted isometric flexion of the elbow [15][16][17][18]. It is thought that isolated biceps tendinopathy is relatively uncommon and that the condition more commonly co-exists with rotator cuff pathology and impingement.…”

Work relatedness of chronic neck pain with physical findings—a systematic review

“…Of concern is the wide variation in outcome frequency, even when apparently similar criteria are used. Thus, in some occupational surveys, one-third to two-thirds of the workers are classed as having neck pain with tenderness (35,(38)(39)(40)(41), whereas, in others, this outcome is far less common (≤10%) (42)(43)(44). In a study of slaughterhouse workers by Viikari-Juntura (32) tension neck syndrome was six times less prevalent than among factory workers, and ten times less common than among scissor makers surveyed by other researchers following the same diagnostic schedule.…”

“…Altogether 15 investigations were cross-sectional in design (32,35,37,(39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(59)(60)(61)(62)(63)(64), 4 were prospective (18,19,38,58) [1 mostly focusing on baseline findings (38)], and 2 were community-based case-referent studies (50,65). The studies ranged from very large (N >15 000) (19) to very small (N=30) (58).…”

Association between plasma testosterone and work-related neck and shoulder disorders among female workers

“…Indeed many epidemiologic studies have been concerned with the relationship between physical work load and musculoskeletal disorders (3)(4)(5). Mean-while, an increasing number of studies have also investigated the possible associations between psychosocial job factors and the development of musculoskeletal pain and disorders (6)(7)(8).…”