PT Journal AU Werner, RA Franzblau, A Gell, N Hartigan, AG Ebersole, M Armstrong, TJ TI Risk factors for visiting a medical department because of upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders SO Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health PD 4VL PY 2005 BP 132 EP 137 IS 2 DI 10.5271/sjweh.860 WP https://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=860 DE Cox regression; cumulative trauma disorder; medical department; MSD; musculoskeletal disorder; occupational medicine; repetitive strain injury; risk factor; upper extremity SN 0355-3140 AB '

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OBJECTIVES ': 'This study followed 279 auto assembly workers over 1 year to identify which factors influenced whether a worker would visit the plant medical department because of an upper-extremity musculoskeletal problem.

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METHODS ': 'Incident cases were defined as involving workers who had not gone to the plant medical department in the preceding 6 months and then subsequently visited the medical department with a work-related musculoskeletal disorder that was potentially due to repetitive work activity (acute fractures or lacerations were excluded).

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RESULTS ': 'There were 45 cases identified during the study period. Based on Cox regression analysis, significant predictors for visiting a medical department included exceeding the threshold limit value for hand activity and peak force, a history of diabetes, a current diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome, elbow tendonitis, and age under 40 years.

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CONCLUSIONS ': 'The results of this study are consistent with those of other prospective studies that showed that both ergonomic and past medical history are risk factors for an upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorder and suggests that there is a healthy worker or survivor effect among older workers.

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