MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERS OF THE NECK AND UPPER-LIMB AMONG SEWING-MACHINE OPERATORS - A CLINICAL INVESTIGATION

One hundred and seven women participated in a clinical study of an age -stratified random sample of sewing machine operators compared to a gr oup of auxiliary nurses and home helpers. Four groups, according to ye ars of being a sewing machine operator, consisted of: (controls) 25; ( 0-7 years) 21; (8-15 years) 25; and (more than 15 years) 36. The numbe rs of the main clinical diagnoses in the four groups were: cervicobrac hial fibromyalgia (myofascial pain syndrome) 2, 4, 11, 24; cervical sy ndrome 0, 1, 3, 10; and rotator cuff syndrome 1, 1, 6, 11. The observe d exposure-response relationship between clinical outcomes and years a s a sewing machine operator was maintained when adjusting for current exposure to musculoskeletal strain and other potential confounders. Mu scle palpation proved to be a reproducible examination with kappa valu es around 0.70. (C) 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.