CLINICAL DISORDERS AND PRESSURE PAIN THRESHOLD OF THE FOREARM AND HAND AMONG AUTOMOBILE ASSEMBLY-LINE WORKERS

The prevalence of forearm and hand disorders was examined by questionn aire and clinical examination in 199 automobile assembly line workers and in 186 controls. The pressure-pain threshold, hand grip force and hand anthropometry were also studied, There was an increased prevalenc e of de Quervain's disease for male automobile assembly line workers, and of carpal tunnel syndrome in female workers. The prevalence of sym ptoms in the forearm and hand during the last 7 days were twice as hig h among automobile assembly line workers than controls for both men an d women. The occurrence of symptoms in the last 7 days was associated with de Quervain's disease, carpal tunnel syndrome and sick-leave due to forearm or hand problems, and it also influenced activities of dail y living. Hand grip strength and anthropometrics were not associated w ith findings in the clinical examination as the occurrence of symptoms in the last 7 days. Low pressure-pain threshold was not associated wi th findings in the clinical examination, except for reported occurrenc e of symptoms in the last 7 days for women. Pressure-pain threshold as an indicator of tissue damage is discussed.