Risk factors for visiting a medical department because of upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders.
OBJECTIVE
This study followed 279 auto assembly workers over 1 year to identify which factors influenced whether a worker would visit the plant medical department because of an upper-extremity musculoskeletal problem.


METHODS
Incident cases were defined as involving workers who had not gone to the plant medical department in the preceding 6 months and then subsequently visited the medical department with a work-related musculoskeletal disorder that was potentially due to repetitive work activity (acute fractures or lacerations were excluded).


RESULTS
There were 45 cases identified during the study period. Based on Cox regression analysis, significant predictors for visiting a medical department included exceeding the threshold limit value for hand activity and peak force, a history of diabetes, a current diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, elbow tendonitis, and age under 40 years.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study are consistent with those of other prospective studies that showed that both ergonomic and past medical history are risk factors for an upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorder and suggests that there is a healthy worker or survivor effect among older workers.
Werner
Robert A
RA
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA. rawerner@umich.edu
Franzblau
Alfred
A
Gell
Nancy
N
Hartigan
Anne G
AG
Ebersole
Marissa
M
Armstrong
Thomas J
TJ
D001336:Automobiles; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D006804:Ergonomics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017751:Safety Management; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014896:Welding