Skip to main content
Log in

Predictors of Upper Extremity Discomfort: A Longitudinal Study of Industrial and Clerical Workers

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Upper extremity discomfort associated with work activity is common with a prevalence of over 50% in many settings. This study followed a cohort of 501 active workers for an average of 5.4 years. Cases were defined as workers who were asymptomatic or had a low discomfort score of 1 or 2 at baseline testing and went on to report a discomfort score of 4 or above on a 10-point visual analog scale. This change is considered clinically significant. Controls had a low baseline discomfort score and continued to have a low discomfort rating throughout the study. The risk factors found to have the highest predictive value for identifying a person who is likely to develop a significant upper extremity discomfort rating included age over 40, a BMI over 28, a complaint of baseline discomfort, the severity of the baseline discomfort rating and a job that had a high hand activity level (based upon hand repetition and force). The risk profile identified both ergonomic and personal health factors as risks and both factors may be amenable to prevention strategies.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Cleeland CS,Reyes-Gibby CC,Schall M,Nolan K,Paice J,Rosenberg JM,Tollett JH. Kerns RD. Rapid improvement in pain management: The Veterans Health Administration and the institute for healthcare improvement collaborative. [Evaluation Studies. Journal Article. Multicenter Study. Validation Studies] Clinical J Pain 2003; 19(5): 298–305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Benedetti C,Brock C,Cleeland C,Coyle N,Dube JE,Ferrell B,Hassenbusch S 3rd,Janjan NA,Lema MJ,Levy MH,Loscalzo MJ,Lynch M,Muir C,Oakes L,O’Neill A,Payne R,Syrjala KL,Urba S,Weinstein SM. National Comprehensive Cancer Network. NCCN practice guidelines for cancer pain. [Guideline. Journal Article. Practice Guideline] Oncology (Huntington) 2000; 14(11A): 135–150.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franzblau A,Werner RA,Valle J,Johnston E. Workplace surveillance for carpal tunnel syndrome: A comparison of methods. J Occup Rehabil 1993; 3(1): 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernard BP,ed. Musculoskeletal disorders and workplace factors: A critical review of epidemiologic evidence for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck,upper extremity and low back. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services,NIOSH publication No. 97–141,1997

  • Stevens JC,Sun S,Beard CM,O’Fallon WM,Kurland LT. Carpal tunnel syndrome in Rochester,Minnesota,1961–1980. Neurology 1988; 38: 134–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snider RK,Essentials of musculoskeletal care. Rosemont, IL: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons,1997,pp. 114–119.

    Google Scholar 

  • Armstrong TJ,Castelli W,Evans F,Diaz-Perez R. Some histological changes in carpal tunnel contents and their biomechanical implications. J Occup Med 1984; 26: 197–201.

    Google Scholar 

  • Stevens JC,Beard CM,O’Fallon WM,Kurland LT. Conditions associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Mayo Clin Proc 1992; 67: 541–548.

    Google Scholar 

  • Franklin GM,Haug J,Heyer N,Checkoway H,Peck N. Occupational carpal tunnel syndrome in Washington St ate,1984–1988. Am J Public Health 1991; 82: 741–746.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurppa K,Viikari-Juntura E,Kuosma E,Huuskonen M,Kivi P. Incidence of tenosynovitis or peritendonitis and epicodylitis in a meat-processing factory. Scand J Work Environ Health 1991; 17: 32–37.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kimura J. Electrodiagnosis in diseases of nerve and muscle: Principles and practice. Philadelphia: FA Davis,1983.

    Google Scholar 

  • Latko WA,Armstrong TJ,Foulke JA,Herrin GD,Rabourn RA,Ulin SS. Development and evaluation of an observational method for assessing repetition in hand tasks. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J 1997; 58(4): 278–85.

    Google Scholar 

  • 2002 Threshold limit values for chemical substances and physical agents in the work environment. ACGIH Worldwide,2002.

  • Karasek R,Brisson C,Kawakami N,Houtman I,Bongers P,Amick B. The job content questionnaire (JCQ): An instrument for internationally comparative assessments of psychosocial job characteristics. J Occup Health Psych 1998; 3(4): 322–55.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alfred Franzblau.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Werner, R.A., Franzblau, A., Gell, N. et al. Predictors of Upper Extremity Discomfort: A Longitudinal Study of Industrial and Clerical Workers. J Occup Rehabil 15, 27–35 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-005-0871-2

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10926-005-0871-2

Navigation