title: The influence of work and treatment related factors on clinical status and disability in patients with non-specific work-related upper limb disorders.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the influence of work- and treatment-related factors on clinical status and functional disability in patients with non-specific work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD).
  
  
  METHODS
  182 computer workers with non-specific WRULD, 18-50 years old, not having specific WRULD nor incomplete medical records.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective cohort study among computer workers with non-specific WRULD; average follow-up 4 years. Medical records at time of diagnosis and during treatment period and a follow-up questionnaire were used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht.
  
  
  METHODS
  Non-specific WRULD (clinical status) and Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) at follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  103 patients (57%) returned the questionnaire. Of these, 14% developed a chronic pain syndrome, 9% recovered, 77% worsened slightly. None of the selected work- and treatment-related factors were significantly associated with clinical status. "Number of working hours per week before diagnosis" was negatively (b=-0.66, p=0.00) and "other therapies during treatment" (b=8.76, p=0.02) positively associated with DASH.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Computer workers with non-specific WRULD have a poor prognosis. Working more hours before diagnosis seems not predictive for disability while having undergone other therapies during treatment period does. Prospective cohort studies are recommended to unravel the associations found.
authors.affiliation: Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands. mdf_van_eijsden@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Marjon D F
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: van Eijsden-Besseling
authors.forename: Karien A M
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: van den Bergh
authors.forename: J Bart
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Staal
authors.forename: Rob A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Bie
authors.forename: Rob J E M
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Smeets
authors.forename: Wim J A
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: van den Heuvel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016288:Computer Terminals; D012090:Cumulative Trauma Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014937:Work / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult