| Abstract: | Sick-leave in 1984–1989 was higher in 269 women with industrialwork involving repetitive movements (total 76,540 days), thanin 290 referents with varying work tasks (26,421 days). Themedians of the individual ratios of the observed number of daysof illness versus expected (according to background population)were 1.26 and 0.24 respectively. Sick-leave with diagnoses inthe musculoskeletal system dominated in the exposed group, particularlyfor neck/shoulders (5.3 versus 0.6% of observed time, p<0.001)and arms/hands (2.4 versus 0.5%, p<0.001). Women leavingfor new jobs had, during the exposed employment, a higher sick-leavethan those who stayed (‘healthy worker selection’),and afterwards lower sick-leave. The risk of disability pensioning1980–1989 (observed/expected: 2.8 versus 0.7) was alsohigher among exposed women. Repetitive, industrial work causesextensive suffering and huge costs. Preventive measures areurgently needed. |
