Work related risk factors for musculoskeletal complaints in the nursing profession: results of a questionnaire survey.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints of the back, arms or neck, and legs among nurses, and to investigate the relation between these complaints and various work related and personal variables. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was carried out in four nursing homes in The Netherlands. RESULTS: The response was 95% and resulted in 846 completed questionnaires. It was found that a large proportion of the subjects regularly had back complaints (36%) but also had arm or neck (30%) and leg complaints (16%). Almost all respondents (89%) considered nursing work as physically strenuous. Most of them complained of working under time pressure (69%), increased work pressure (70%), and having no opportunity to take a break from the work (70%). The physical variables which seem to trouble the subjects most were lifting (65%), working in awkward postures (47%), and stooping (34%). Moreover, 53% of the subjects responded that the ergonomic lay out of the ward was disagreeable. Most of the work related variables under study seemed to be associated with musculoskeletal complaints. For all types of complaints the strongest associations were found with having to lift heavy loads. Apart from physical stress various aspects of work pressure showed strong associations with the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints. The variables on the ergonomy of the ward showed less clear associations with musculoskeletal complaints than were found for physical stress and work pressure. CONCLUSIONS: From these results it may be concluded that future research of health risks of nursing work should have a wider focus than the relation between physical workload and low back pain.     

Different risk factors for musculoskeletal complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate whether individual, work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors involved in the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints also determine musculoskeletal sickness absence. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a self-administered questionnaire to collect data on individual and work-related risk factors and the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints and musculoskeletal sickness absence among 373 employees of laundry-works and dry-cleaning establishments (response rate 87%). Logistic regression models were used to determine associations between risk factors and the occurrence of musculoskeletal complaints and sickness absence due to these complaints. RESULTS: Both work-related physical and psychosocial factors showed strong associations with low-back pain and upper-extremity complaints. Work-related physical factors did not influence sickness absence, whereas psychosocial factors showed some associations with sickness absence. Sickness absence was associated with The Netherlands as the country of birth [odds ratio (OR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.2-0.6], and female workers had an episode of sickness absence due to low-back pain less often (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.9), but more often due to upper-extremity complaints (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.14.5). CONCLUSIONS: Work-related physical and psychosocial factors largely determine the occurrence of low-back pain and upper-extremity complaints, whereas individual factors predominantly determine whether persons with these musculoskeletal complaints take sick leave.     

Individual and work-related risk factors associated with symptoms of musculoskeletal complaints

Summary Individual and work-related risk factors in the development of occupational musculoskeletal complaints were investigated in a cross-sectional study of 52 female production workers and 34 female office workers. The work tasks of the production workers were considered to generate shoulder muscle loads of low amplitude and high repetitiveness, and the work tasks of the office workers, muscle loads of low amplitude and low repetitiveness. The symptom scores were similar in the two groups, with the highest score for both groups in the shoulder-neck region. Previous pain symptoms were an important risk factor for musculoskeletal pain in all body regions, whereas psychosocial problems at work were a risk factor for complaints in the shoulder-neck region. For the office workers, 27% of the variance in shoulder-neck symptoms was explained by the variance in the parameters previous pain symptoms and psychosocial problems in a multilinear regression model. In three groups of workers with different physical loads on the shoulder muscles the symptom scores for workers without previous pain symptoms and psychosocial problems were related to the physical load. For workers with previous pain symptoms and psychosocial problems, the symptom scores were high and similar for all three groups.     

Gender differences in the relations between work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors and musculoskeletal complaints

Gender differences in the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints might be explained by differences in the effect of exposure to work-related physical and psychosocial risk factors. A systematic review was conducted to examine gender differences in the relations between these risk factors and musculoskeletal complaints. Several electronic databases were searched. The strength of the evidence was determined on the basis of the methodological quality and consistency of the study results. For lifting, strong evidence was found that men have a higher risk of back complaints than women. The same was found for the relation between hand-arm vibration and neck-shoulder complaints. For arm posture, strong evidence was found that women have a higher risk of neck-shoulder complaints than men. For social support, no evidence of a gender difference was found for either neck-shoulder or back complaints. For hand-wrist and lower-extremity complaints, inconclusive evidence was found due to a lack of high-quality studies.     

Selection related to musculoskeletal complaints among employees.

OBJECTIVES: To (a) describe differences in the outcome of cross sectional and longitudinal analysis on musculoskeletal complaints relative to age and work demands, and (b) to assess the entrance and drop out selection on musculoskeletal complaints among groups of employees relative to age and work demands. METHODS: A study population was selected on the basis of questionnaire data from periodical occupational health surveys of almost 45,000 employees collected between 1982 and 1993. From all companies within this data base that participated twice in company wide surveys four years apart, male employees were selected, and stratified for age and work demands. There were several populations: follow up (participation in both surveys); drop out (participation only in the first survey); entrance (participation only at the second survey); and two cross sectional populations (all participants at each survey). Prevalences of back complaints and turnover rates were analysed. RESULTS: Reported back complaints in the cross sectional analysis declined over the oldest age groups in heavy physical work versus a small increase in the longitudinal analysis. The age group 50-9 and back complaints were identified as predictors at the first survey for not participating at the second survey. Neither age nor work demands at the first survey indicated drop out among those employees with back complaints at the first survey. The effects of entrance selection on estimated prevalences were small. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that musculoskeletal disorders lead to selection out of work, affecting the validity of both cross sectional and longitudinal epidemiological studies. In future studies analyses of turnover figures on musculoskeletal complaints relative to work demands and age are recommended.     

Individual and work related factors associated with symptoms of musculoskeletal complaints. II. Different risk factors among sewing machine operators.

Individual and work related risk factors in the development of occupational musculoskeletal complaints were studied in a group of 210 female production workers, mainly sewing machine operators. Another group of 35 female employees performing secretarial or laboratory duties were also included. The production workers had significantly higher symptom scores with respect to self reported musculoskeletal complaints than the group with more varied work tasks for the head, neck, shoulders, and arms, but not for the low back, hips, and the lower extremities. No significant differences were found in symptom level between geographically separate groups of production workers with similar work tasks. The main individual risk factor identified in this study was the experience of previous, similar symptoms in the same body region, but this factor only accounted for 2-3% of total variance in symptom score for the neck and shoulders. Other individual factors of importance for symptoms in the neck and shoulders were "signs of psychological problems" and "tendency of muscle tension," but these only account for about 1% of total variance in symptom score. Symptoms in the head and low back showed complex relations with individual parameters.     

Individual and work related factors associated with symptoms of musculoskeletal complaints. II. Different risk factors among sewing machine operators.

Individual and work related risk factors in the development of occupational musculoskeletal complaints were studied in a group of 210 female production workers, mainly sewing machine operators. Another group of 35 female employees performing secretarial or laboratory duties were also included. The production workers had significantly higher symptom scores with respect to self reported musculoskeletal complaints than the group with more varied work tasks for the head, neck, shoulders, and arms, but not for the low back, hips, and the lower extremities. No significant differences were found in symptom level between geographically separate groups of production workers with similar work tasks. The main individual risk factor identified in this study was the experience of previous, similar symptoms in the same body region, but this factor only accounted for 2-3% of total variance in symptom score for the neck and shoulders. Other individual factors of importance for symptoms in the neck and shoulders were "signs of psychological problems" and "tendency of muscle tension," but these only account for about 1% of total variance in symptom score. Symptoms in the head and low back showed complex relations with individual parameters.     

A chiropractic service arrangement for musculoskeletal complaints in industry: a pilot study

Chiropractic services are commonly used by workers with musculoskeletal problems, especially low back and neck complaints. Research into the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of this approach is, however, difficult to design without prior pilot studies. This study followed 32 workers with these complaints attending one such service and used five measures of outcome over a 6-month period. These measured pain (VAS), disability (FLP), quality of life (SF-36), perceived benefit and satisfaction with care. Additionally, sickness costs to the companies were recorded over two years encompassing the study period. Treatment utilization was also monitored. Over half the population were chronic sufferers. The effect sizes were large for pain and for seven out of eight dimensions of the SF-36 questionnaire at 6-month follow-up, although not for disability (FLP). High levels of satisfaction and perceived improvement were reported and sickness costs to the companies fell. However, the sample size in this pilot study was small and did not include controls. We would, therefore, recommend a full cost-effectiveness study incorporating a randomized trial in this area.     

Associations between neck musculoskeletal complaints and work related factors among public service computer workers in Kaunas

Objectives

Information technologies have been developing very rapidly, also in the case of occupational activities. Epidemiological studies have shown that employees, who work with computers, are more likely to complain of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between neck MSD and individual and work related factors.

Materials and Methods

The investigation which consisted of two parts — a questionnaire study (using Nordic Musculoskeletal questionnaire and Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire) and a direct observation (to evaluate ergonomic work environment using RULA method) was carried out in three randomly selected public sector companies of Kaunas. The study population consisted of 513 public service office workers.

Results

The survey showed that neck MSDs were very common in the investigated population. The prevalence rate amounted to 65.7%. According to our survey neck MSDs were significantly associated with older age, bigger work experience, high quantitative and cognitive job demands, working for longer than 2 h without taking a break as well as with higher ergonomic risk score. The fully adjusted model working for longer than 2 h without taking a break had the strongest associations with neck complaints.

Conclusion

It was confirmed, that neck MSDs were significantly associated with individual factors as well as conditions of work, therefore, preventive actions against neck complaints should be oriented at psychosocial and ergonomic work environment as well as at individual factors.     

The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints among women in Tijuana, Mexico: sociodemographic and occupational risk factors

The authors interviewed an age- and occupation-stratified sample of 466 women, aged 18-40, from 12 Tijuana neighborhoods, about sociodemographic characteristics, work and reproductive history, and musculoskeletal complaints. A total of 29.8% reported experiencing aches or pain in the low back, 38.3% in the upper back, 26.4% in the neck/shoulders, 18.2% in the hand/wrist, and 28.3% in the legs in the preceding year. Both sociodemographic and occupational factors were associated with these complaints. Very low educational attainment, having substandard housing, being the head of household, and being a migrant were each associated with an increased prevalence of one or more musculoskeletal complaints. In general, working outside the home increased the risk of musculoskeletal complaints. Compared with women who had not worked in the preceding 30-month period, those working in the maquiladora had 40-90% higher risks of upper back, neck/shoulder, and hand/wrist pain. Compared with women working outside the maquiladora, maquiladora women workers had 20% higher risks of low back, upper back, and neck/shoulder complaints. More detailed studies of the incidences of musculoskeletal disorders and of specific etiologic risk factors within the maquiladora industry are warranted. Future studies should concurrently evaluate sociodemographic risk factors.     

中国医疗行业工作相关肌肉骨骼疾患发生模式及其影响因素分析

目的  调查中国医疗行业工作相关肌肉骨骼疾患(work-related musculoskeletal disorders, WMSDs)发生情况,探究不同岗位不良工效学职业危害因素及WMSDs发生模式。方法  通过《北欧肌肉骨骼疾患问卷(修改版)》电子问卷系统对中国6 854名医疗行业从业人员进行横断面调查。根据美国国家职业安全卫生研究所(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH)判定WMSDs方法进行发生结果统计分析。应用潜类别分析(latent class analysis, LCA)对主要工种WMSDs多部位发生模式进行分析,利用logistic回归分析法确定不良工效学因素。结果  调查样本中,不计部位的总体WMSDs发生率为56.1%。其中,医生为54.15%、护士为58.66%、护工为51.04%、技师为54.05%、药师为48.48%。根据LCA分类结果,医生与护士WMSDs发生模式主要有颈肩型和躯干型;技师主要为颈肩型;药师为颈肩型;护工主要为颈肩型和轻微疼痛型。多因素logistic回归分析结果显示,颈肩型医生发生危险主要来自手腕长期弯曲(OR=1.383, P=0.036),频繁坐位工作(OR=2.110, P=0.020),工作姿势经常不舒服(OR=2.023, P=0.001);躯干型医生发生危险主要有腿部姿势受限(OR=1.413, P=0.044),频繁不舒适工作姿势(OR=4.402, P＜0.001);颈肩型护士发生危险主要来自颈部大幅度前倾(OR=2.218, P=0.024),长时间频繁坐位工作(OR=1.533, P=0.006);躯干型护士发生危险有长时间频繁坐位工作(OR=1.883, P < 0.001),频繁不舒适工作姿势(OR=2.137, P < 0.001)。结论  中国医疗行业WMSDs发生率同世界主流国家地区相比处于中等水平。但行业总体不良工效学危害水平较高,不良作业姿势普遍存在。其中颈部、肩部、上背部、下背部的工效学负荷水平较高,主要与颈部工作中长时间保持不变、长时间低头、颈部大幅度前倾、手腕长期弯曲、长时间保持转身、腿部空间受限、长时间坐姿、作业姿势不舒服等职业因素有关。应通过加强宣教培训、增加辅助助力设施、改善工作组织模式等方式,降低肌肉骨骼损伤危险。     

Work-related musculoskeletal complaints in sonologists

The prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints of the hand and wrist, and the neck and back, in physicians who operate sonography equipment was evaluated, and associations between these complaints and various work-related and personal variables were studied. A questionnaire survey was distributed among physician sonographers (sonologists) in Italy. The relationship between work habits and musculoskeletal complaints was analyzed by logistic regression models adjusted for gender, age, and duration of work with ultrasound. A total of 2041 physician sonographers completed the questionnaire. It was found that a large proportion of the subjects regularly had work-related complaints, such as neck and back pain (NBP) (18.5%) or hand and wrist cumulative trauma disorder (HWD) (5.3%). Roughly 80% of the sonographers were currently affected, or had been affected in the past, by one or more work-related symptoms. Various work-related factors appeared to be related to musculoskeletal syndromes. The average time spent for each examination was related both to NBP and HWD. Discomfort for transducer design was the best predictor of HWD, whereas a comfortable chair and correct position of the body protected from the onset of NBP. These results support the role of ergonomic factors in the pathogenesis of both NBP and HWD in sonographers.     

Work is a risk factor for adolescent musculoskeletal pain

The study objectives were to determine the incidence of musculoskeletal pain in a cohort of adolescents and whether work is a risk factor for its development. 502 students in the seventh to ninth grades responded to a questionnaire at three times over a 12-month period, addressing musculoskeletal health and lifestyle factors. Annual incidence of musculoskeletal pain was 38%. Adolescents who worked developed pain more than those who did not work (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.96, 2.76). Those who worked in white-collar jobs were at a higher risk of developing pain than those in blue-collar jobs or childcare. The conclusion that work is associated with musculoskeletal pain development in adolescents implies that implementation of prevention strategies in the workplace should include adolescents who work.     

Self-reported risk factors related to the most frequent musculoskeletal complaints among Czech dentists

The purpose of the study was to describe the occurrence of the most common complaints related to MSDs in Czech dentists and to assess the risk factors affecting them. A questionnaire survey of 581 Czech dentists (the response rate 72.6%) was conducted in 2011. The questionnaire ascertained general information about the respondents, their work habits and environment along with the occurrence of musculoskeletal disorders. The respondents filled out the questionnaires during the educational events organized by the Czech Dental Chamber. At least mild difficulties associated with the motoric system were reported by 96.9% of the respondents, with 66.3% of respondents reporting moderate or major difficulties. Back and neck pain followed by shoulder pain and headache were the most common complaints in our sample. According to our data: age, gender, length of practice, a history of serious MSDs, the occurrence of MSDs in blood relatives, the perception of work as psychologically demanding, and especially a perceived moderate/bad general health were significantly associated with the four most common musculoskeletal complaints. Some of the factors were found as protective. This study suggests that MSDs represent a significant burden for Czech dentists and further research is needed to elucidate this issue.     

Individual and work related factors associated with symptoms of musculoskeletal complaints. I. A quantitative registration system.

A registration system for symptoms of occupational musculoskeletal injuries has been developed and evaluated. The system is based on the recording of two aspects of the pain sensation: the intensity (five point scale) and the frequency (three point scale) of pain. The two primary indicators are summed to give a combined symptom score. The scoring system was evaluated in terms of its ability to predict the probability of a medical consultation due to a musculoskeletal pain problem. The intensity and frequency parameters were shown to contribute significantly and to carry equal weight when optimising the symptom score by a logistic regression analysis. In the scoring of pain symptoms a distinction was made between pain experienced during and outside working hours and only the first category was included. The separation eliminated some symptoms that the workers did not consider work related (mostly due to migraine, arthritis). Repeated interviews of 14 subjects showed, however, that this procedure could cause classification problems.     

Exposure assessment strategies for work-related risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders

The design of assessment strategies depends on the risk factors of interest, features of the measurement device, feasibility considerations, and variation at the workplace. The selection of variables should permit specific etiologic inferences. Several researchers have combined different methods into a broad array of exposure measures. Other authors have converted inputs from disparate methods into a common exposure metric, varying from subjective ratings to quantitative measures such as compression forces in the lumbar back. The parameterization of an exposure variable should address the 3 principal exposure dimensions intensity, frequency, and duration. Standardized expressions of variation patterns of exposure have been suggested. An alternative approach is the modeling of exposure variability that allows for exposure assessment at the individual level. A related topic is the critical time window of risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. This window not only requires detailed information of exposure events over time, but also appropriate characterization of episodic musculoskeletal problems.     

肩部肌肉骨骼疾患及危险因素

肌肉骨骼疾患(MSDs)是一类常见的工作有关疾病,发病率较高,严重影响劳动者的身心健康和工作质量。引起MSDs的危险因素众多、复杂,查阅近年来国内外文献,本文针对肩部MSDs的危险因素进行综述,探讨职业因素、社会心理因素和个体因素在MSDs的发生发展中的作用。以期从加强个人体育锻炼、定期体检、改善工作环境、合理安排劳动组织等方面加以预防。     

A strategy for evaluating occupational risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders

There is a large and increasing incidence of work-related muscoloskeletal disorders, both upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders and low back pain. Several occupational risk factors have been linked with the development of musculoskeletal disorders. In order to identify the known occupational risk factors associated with a specific job, an analysis procedure is described to help identify ergonomic risk factors in the workplace. Job analysis should be one part of an overall ergonomics control program. Once the ergonomic risk factors have been documented, the ergonomics committee can use that information to begin developing solutions that will decrease or eliminate the identified risk factors. When placing a worker who is returning to the workforce after recovering from an injury, health care professionals can also use the information from the job analysis to assist in matching up task demands with worker capabilities and limitations.