Heavy manual work, exposure to vibration and Dupuytren's disease? Results of a surveillance program for musculoskeletal disorders.
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Dupuytren's disease in men and its relationship with work exposure, particularly heavy manual work with and without significant use of vibrating tools, using data from a surveillance program for musculoskeletal disorders.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study was conducted in France between 2002 and 2005. Dupuytren's disease was diagnosed clinically by one of 83 occupational physicians. Exposure in relation to work status and occupational risk factors was assessed with a self-administered questionnaire, and categorised according to vibration exposure (defined as use of vibrating tools for ≥2 h/day), heavy manual work without vibration exposure (defined as use of hand tools for ≥2 h/day (use of vibrating tools for ≥2 h/day excluded) and Borg scale ≥15/20) and no such exposure. Bivariate and multivariate associations using logistic models were recorded in men and in those with >10 years in the same job.


RESULTS
Of 2161 men, 1.3% (n=27) had Dupuytren's disease (mean age 47.1±6.7 years). Heavy manual work without vibration exposure was significantly associated with the condition (adjusted OR (aOR) 3.9; 95% CI 1.3 to 11.5) adjusted on age and diabetes), as was use of vibrating tools (aOR 5.1; 2.1 to 12.2). These associations remained significant among subjects with >10 years in the same job, with increases in aOR of 6.1 (1.5 to 25.0) and 10.7 (3.4 to 34.6), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite the limited number of cases, occupational exposure, including both vibration exposure and heavy manual work without significant vibration exposure, was associated with Dupuytren's disease.
Université de Versailles St-Quentin, UMRS 1018, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Population Health, Population-Based Epidemiological Cohorts Research Platform, Villejuif, France. alexis.descatha@rpc.aphp.fr
Alexis
A
Descatha
Julie
J
Bodin
Catherine
C
Ha
Pierre
P
Goubault
Marine
M
Lebreton
Jean François
JF
Chastang
Ellen
E
Imbernon
Annette
A
Leclerc
Marcel
M
Goldberg
Yves
Y
Roquelaure
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004387:Dupuytren Contracture / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D009790:Occupations; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014937:Work