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.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA. gelfman.russell@mayo.edu
Russell
R
Gelfman
Timothy J
TJ
Beebe
Peter C
PC
Amadio
Dirk R
DR
Larson
Jeffrey R
JR
Basford
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