The impact of occupational injury on injured worker and family: Outcomes of upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders in Maryland workers

Background Surveys have identified a dramatically rising incidence of work- related upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders (UECTDs). Outcome studi es have addressed time lost from work and cost of compensation; omitting ot her significant consequences. We assess health, functional and family outco mes. Methods We identified 537 Workers' Compensation UECTD claimants. A computer -assisted assisted telephone questionnaire was used to elicit symptom preva lence, functional impairment, depressive symptoms (CES-D scale), employment status. Results One to 4 years post-claim, respondents reported persistent symptoms severe enough to interfere with work (53%), home/recreation activities (64 %) and sleep (44%). Only 64% of responses to the activities of daily Living scale items indicated "normal" function. Job loss was reported by 38% of r espondents, and depressive symptoms by 31%. Conclusions Work-related UECTDs result in persisting symptoms and difficult y in performing simple activities of daily living, impacting home life even more than work. Job loss, symptoms of depression, and family disruption we re common. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.