Prevalence of epicondylitis and elbow pain in the meat-processing industry.
To determine the etiologic role of strenuous manual tasks in relation to epicondylitis, three clinical cross-sectional examinations were performed on meatcutters (N = 102), sausage makers (N = 125), packers (N = 150), and workers in nonstrenuous tasks (N = 332). The workers in strenuous jobs reported elbow symptoms 1.6-1.8 times as often as those in nonstrenuous jobs. Female sausage makers also showed epicondylar tenderness more often than the women in nonstrenuous jobs. In all the cross-sectional examinations combined, seven cases (0.8%) of epicondylitis were detected in both the strenuous and nonstrenuous jobs. A control for the possible sources of bias (leaving the company, changing task, being on sick leave) did not suggest a marked loss of potential cases of epicondylitis. A major role of strenuous tasks in the etiology of epicondylitis was not shown. However, because the number of clinical cases was small, the power of the study was low.
Viikari-Juntura
E
E
Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland.
Kurppa
K
K
Kuosma
E
E
Huuskonen
M
M
Kuorinka
I
I
Ketola
R
R
Könni
U
U
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008462:Meat-Packing Industry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010146:Pain / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013716:Tennis Elbow / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology