Occupational upper extremity conditions: a detailed analysis of work-related outcomes.
While work-related upper extremity conditions (WRUECs) cause almost 25% of lost time cases in the US, little is known about their long-term occupational consequences. A self-report survey was mailed to New Hampshire workers reporting a WRUEC one year prior to the study. Of the 72 (52%) valid respondents, 60% had lost > or = 1 week of work and 90% had returned to work. Almost 70% reported acute injury onset, and 26% had experienced a recurrence of their WRUEC. Both gradual-onset injuries and recurrences had worse outcomes. Recurrence was related to shorter job tenure, lower job satisfaction, and less satisfaction with medical care and insurer responses. Results imply that a single measure is insufficient to assess occupational outcomes subsequent to a WRUEC. The importance of secondary prevention was highlighted. There is a need for focus on gradual-onset injuries, as well as those acute-onset injuries with risk for recurrence.
Pransky
Glenn
G
Liberty Mutual Center for Disability Research, Liberty Mutual Research Center, 71 Frankland Road, Hopkinton, Massachusetts 01748, USA. glenn.pransky@libertymutual.com
Benjamin
Katy
K
Hill-Fotouhi
Carolyn
C
Fletcher
Kenneth E
KE
Himmelstein
Jay
J
D000041:Absenteeism; D000328:Adult; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008297:Male; D009513:New Hampshire / Q000453:epidemiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014478:Unemployment; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries*; D014938:Work Capacity Evaluation