PREDICTIVE ASPECTS OF THE ABDUCTION EXTERNAL ROTATION TEST AMONG MALEINDUSTRIAL AND OFFICE WORKERS

Background Nerve compression of the brachial plexus can be provoked by the Abduction External Rotation (AER) test where the arms are held in a ''hands-up'' position. Methods The AER rest was conducted among 137 male industrial and office workers at baseline and after 5 years foll ow-up, together with a medical examination/history and exposure analys is. Nerve conduction measurements in the wrist regions were also made. Results The cumulated incidence of neurological signs during the AER test, was estimated to be 2/100 person-years. Factors related to work- conditions, constitution, disease, and neck trauma were associated wit h AER signs. Subjects with AER signs exhibited a slowing of the nerve conduction velocities in the wrist region. The AER test predicted futu re neck and upper extremity symptoms and signs of nerve compression. C onclusions The results of this study gave support to the ''double or m ultiple crush'' theory of nerve compression. Prevention, evaluation an d management of neck and upper extremity nerve compression diseases sh ould, therefore, attend to all probable locations of such compression, even when a specific location is in focus. The AER test can be a supp lementary tool in such work, both in epidemiological and occupational health settings. Am. J. Ind. Med. 35:32-42, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.