Upper-limb disorders in repetitive work

Objectives A longitudinal study was conducted to determine the predictabili ty of personal and occupational factors with respect to the incidence of up per-limb disorders in occupations requiring repetitive work. Methods A sample of 598 workers in five activity sectors completed a self-a dministered questionnaire; the workers were examined by an occupational hea lth physician in 1993-1994 and 3 years later. Three disorders were consider ed, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), lateral epicondylitis and wrist tendiniti s. Results The results of this longitudinal study indicated that the following three sets of risk factors independently affect the incidence of upper-lim b disorders: (i) biomechanical constraints, (ii) psychosocial factors, and (iii) personal factors. The combination of risk factors differed between CT S, lateral epicondylitis, and wrist tendinitis. The presence of psychosomat ic problems was a strong predictor of wrist tendinitis. Social support at w ork was also associated with the incidence of wrist tendinitis. The presenc e of depressive symptoms and other upper-limb disorders predicted the first occurrence of lateral epicondylitis. Age was associated only with epicondy litis. The results were consistent with those concerning the role of forcef ul movements of the elbow for epicondylitis and confirmed the role of force ful movements for CTS. Conclusions This study considered different sets of risk factors simultaneo usly with a longitudinal approach, in a population with a high level of occ upational exposure. The results indicate that three sets of risk factors in dependently affect the incidence of upper-limb disorders. In addition to bi omechanical constraints, psychosocial and personal factors play a role.