Correlates of upper extremity disability in medical transcriptionists.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the association between disability and personal/lifestyle, medical, and psychosocial risk factors for upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms and disorders (UEMSDs) in medical transcriptionists.


METHODS
A web-based survey involving the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and Overall Job Satisfaction (OJS) questionnaires of all medical transcriptionists working at a large healthcare facility.


RESULTS
Responses were received from 80% (251 of 314) possible participants. Mean DASH, PSS, and OJS scores for those working at their current position for at least 1 year were 8.5 +/- 10.1, 14.3 +/- 6.7 and 5.3 +/- 0.9. Personal/lifestyle factors including age (P < 0.001), lower educational level (P = 0.014), current or previous smoking (P = 0.012), and limited exercise (P = 0.013); medical conditions including diabetes mellitus (P = 0.015), carpal tunnel syndrome (P < 0.001), prior treatment for upper extremity symptoms (P < 0.001); prior workstation evaluation (P < 0.001) and psychosocial factors of perceived stress (P < 0.001), are associated with increased DASH scores. In these workers, multivariate analysis suggests that medical conditions (finger or other upper extremity symptoms requiring treatment or workstation evaluation; and diabetes mellitus) have a larger effect on the DASH than personal/lifestyle or psychosocial factors (age; previous or current smoking; and perceived stress).


CONCLUSIONS
Prior upper extremity musculoskeletal symptoms requiring treatment or ergonomic assessment, high perceived stress and a history of smoking are associated with self-reported disability. Diabetics have significantly higher levels of upper extremity disability than non-diabetics. Prospective studies are needed to see if interventions addressing these factors will prevent future work disability.
Gelfman
Russell
R
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA. gelfman.russell@mayo.edu
Beebe
Timothy J
TJ
Amadio
Peter C
PC
Larson
Dirk R
DR
Basford
Jeffrey R
JR
D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D007588:Job Satisfaction; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D015146:Midwestern United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D034941:Upper Extremity