PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - S W Svendsen AU - J P Bonde AU - S E Mathiassen AU - K Stengaard-Pedersen AU - L H Frich TI - Work related shoulder disorders: quantitative exposure-response relations with reference to arm posture AID - 10.1136/oem.2003.010637 DP - 2004 Oct 01 TA - Occupational and Environmental Medicine PG - 844--853 VI - 61 IP - 10 4099 - http://oem.bmj.com/content/61/10/844.short 4100 - http://oem.bmj.com/content/61/10/844.full SO - Occup Environ Med2004 Oct 01; 61 AB - Aims: To determine quantitative exposure-response relations between work with highly elevated arms and supraspinatus tendinitis, shoulder pain with disability, and shoulder pain without disability. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in a historical cohort of 1886 males from three occupational groups. Exposure measurements were performed for four consecutive working days in a random sample of 72 currently employed subjects. Individual work histories were obtained by questionnaire and register data. Health status was ascertained by physical examination blinded towards exposure and symptoms. Data were analysed by generalised estimating equation and multiple logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders. Results: For current upper arm elevation above 90°, a duration increment of 1% of the daily working hours was associated with odds ratios of 1.23 (95% CI 1.10 to 1.39) for supraspinatus tendinitis, 1.16 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.24) for shoulder pain with disability, and 1.08 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.13) for shoulder pain without disability. The outcomes were not related to duration of employment in one of the three trades. Conclusions: Quantitative exposure-response relations were established between current work with highly elevated arms and clinically verified shoulder disorders. Substantial long term cumulative effects were not shown. A potential for primary prevention was revealed.