Delayed return-to-work in workers after non-severe occupational upper extremity fracture in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
Occupational injury of the upper extremities account for 24% of occupational injuries in Taiwan. However, studies on the timing and factors influencing return-to-work are lacking.


METHODS
A total of 102 hospitalized workers with non-severe upper extremity fractures, defined as without avulsion, amputation and nerve damage, were interviewed over the telephone using a structured questionnaire at 45, 90 and 180 days after injury.


RESULTS
After controlling other factors, cases with other-than-digit fracture presented three-fold more difficulty than those with digit fracture on returning to work (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.17-0.63). Male workers (OR, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.16-6.25) and those with financial help from their employer (OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.17-4.60) found it easier to return to work 90 days after injury. There were 32% who were still unable to return to work 180 days after injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Women workers and workers without financial help from employers are at a disadvantage with regard to early return-to-work. Other assistance besides medical treatment could be of significant help but should be cautiously exercised in extrapolating to workers who are not the main breadwinner in their household.
Department of Environmental and Occupational Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
Chung-Li
CL
Du
Ching-Fan
CF
Lai
Jung-Der
JD
Wang
D000062:Accidents, Occupational; D000328:Adult; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005378:Financial Support; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000293:injuries*