Work, a prognosis factor for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders?
- A Descatha1,2,
- Y Roquelaure3,
- J-F Chastang1,
- B Evanoff4,
- D Cyr1,
- A Leclerc1
- 1INSERM, U687, Villejuif, F-94807, France and Université Versailles-Saint Quentin (UVSQ), Faculté de Médecine Paris-Ile-de-France-Ouest, Guyancourt, F-78280, France
- 2UVSQ-AP-HP, Poincaré University Hospital, Occupational Health Department, Garches, F-92380, France
- 3Laboratory of Ergonomics and Occupational Health, University of Angers, Angers, F-49000, France
- 4Division of General Medical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
- Alexis Descatha, Unité de pathologie professionnelle, CHU Poincaré, 104 bd R. Poincaré, 92380 Garches, France; alexis.descatha{at}rpc.aphp.fr
- Accepted 9 September 2008
Upper extremity musculoskeletal (UEMS) disorders are a significant problem in industrial countries.1 There is strong evidence for an association between biomechanical exposures and UEMS disorders.2–4 However, little is known about the occupational factors associated with recovery from these disorders.5–7
To determine if occupational factors were associated with outcome in workers with UEMS symptoms or disorders, we used data from a repetitive task survey performed in 1993–1994 and again in 1996–1997. The design has been described in earlier publications.8 9 Each worker had a standardised medical examination at baseline and again in 1996–1997. The self-administered questionnaire filled out at baseline included data on personal variables, a psychological variable, postures and biomechanical constraints at work (self-assessed, but checked with the …
