REPETITIVE INDUSTRIAL WORK AND NECK AND UPPER-LIMB DISORDERS IN FEMALES

A cross-sectional study was performed in which physical examinations o f the neck and upper limbs were conducted on 82 currently working fema le industrial workers with exposure to repetitive work tasks and on 64 currently working referent subjects without exposure to repetitive wo rk tasks. Associations between results of symptom questions and physic al examination were sought with variables related to the work environm ent and to the individuals. In a multivariate model, there were statis tically significant associations between exposure to repetitive work a nd 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 v s. 25th percentiles), tendencies towards subjective muscular tension ( POR = 2.3), and stress/worry (POR = 1.9) were also associated with dia gnoses in the neck/shoulders; however, there was not an association be tween these variables and the prevalence of diagnoses in elbows/hands. Standardized evaluation of videotape recordings in 74 of the industri al workers revealed significant associations between neck flexion, and elevation and abduction of the arm and the prevalence of neck/shoulde r diagnoses. In the multivariate model, neck flexion was significantly associated with diagnoses in the neck/shoulders (p = 0.005). In addit ion, low muscle strength, lack of emotional well-being at work, and a variety of psychosomatic symptoms were associated with diagnoses in th e 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 wi th repetitive work performed with a flexed neck and elevated and abduc ted arms, as well as a possible potentiation of these ergonomic factor s by certain personal traits in some workers. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc .