Disability in the upper extremity and quality of life in hand-arm vibration syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) leads to disability in the upper extremity or deficit in quality of life (QoL) using validated questionnaire tools, and to establish whether these effects are related to the Stockholm Workshop Staging (SWS).


METHODS
This was a postal cross-sectional questionnaire study with a 50% response rate. Four hundred and forty-four males, who had been diagnosed and staged according to the SWS were sent the Disability in the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and the SF-36v2 QoL questionnaires.


RESULTS
HAVS cases had significantly greater DASH disability scores and reduced QoL physical and mental component scores compared to published normal values. Those HAVS cases with a presumptive diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome(CTS) had even higher disability scores. There was a clear, linear relationship between both the DASH disability score and the physical component of the QoL and sensorineural SWS, but not with the vascular SWS.


CONCLUSIONS
HAVS has a significant effect on an individual's perceived ability to perform everyday tasks involving the upper extremity, and their quality of life. Physical capability may be further compromised in those individuals who have a presumptive diagnosis of CTS. These findings may have important implications regarding management of the affected worker.
Poole
Kerry
K
Health and Safety Laboratory, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN, UK. kerry.poole@hsl.gov.uk
Mason
Howard
H
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*