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Specific and non‐specific upper extremity musculoskeletal disorder syndromes in automobile manufacturing workers
Author(s) -
Gold Judith E.,
d'Errico Angelo,
Katz Jeffrey N.,
Gore Rebecca,
Punnett Laura
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20653
Subject(s) - medicine , epicondylitis , upper limb , wrist , cohort , physical therapy , musculoskeletal disorder , carpal tunnel syndrome , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery , elbow , poison control , emergency medicine , human factors and ergonomics
Objective A longitudinal cohort of automobile manufacturing workers (n = 1,214) was examined for: (1) prevalence and persistence of specific upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders (UEMSDs) such as lateral epicondylitis and de Quervain's disease, and non‐specific disorders (NSDs) defined in symptomatic individuals without any specific disorder, and (2) disorder prognoses based on symptom characteristics and other factors. Methods Eight specific disorders were identified through case definitions based on upper extremity physical examinations and symptom surveys administered on three occasions over 6 years. Results At baseline, 41% of the cohort reported upper extremity symptoms; 18% (n = 214) of these had NSDs. In each survey, tendon‐related conditions accounted for over half of the specific morbidity. Twenty‐five percent had UEMSDs in multiple anatomical sites, and most with hand/wrist disorders had two or more hand/wrist UEMSDs. Persistence for all specific disorders decreased with length of follow‐up. Specific UEMSDs were characterized by greater pain severity and functional impairment, and more lost work days than NSDs. Conclusions Upper extremity symptoms and diagnoses vary over time. NSDs may be the early stages of conditions that will eventually become more specific. NSDs and overlapping specific UEMSDs should be taken into account in UEMSD classification. Am. J. Ind. Med. 52:124–132, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.