Predictors for Clinical Outcomes Related to Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders in a Healthy Working Population

Oliver Lotter, Tobias Lieb, Jochen Molsner and Viktor Breul
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Oliver Lotter: Department of Plastic, Aesthetic, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, Academic District Hospital, Zeppelinstrasse 21, 78532 Tuttlingen, Germany
Tobias Lieb: Office for Occupational and Hand Therapy, Neuhauser Strasse 85, 78532 Tuttlingen, Germany
Jochen Molsner: IAS-Group for Occupational Health Management, Koenigstrasse 6, 78532 Tuttlingen, Germany
Viktor Breul: Department of Medical Scientific Affairs, Aesculap AG, Am Aesculap Platz, 78532 Tuttlingen, Germany

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 17, 1-15

Abstract: A wide range of endpoints and methods of analysis can be observed in occupational health studies in the context of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Comparison of study results is therefore difficult. We investigated the association between different clinical endpoints and the presence of upper extremity WMSDs in a healthy working population. Furthermore, the influence of socio-demographic, work-related, and individual predictors on different endpoints was examined. Two self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 70 workers and employees. In addition, a standardized physical examination and an industry test were performed in this cross-sectional study. Correlations between WMSDs and clinical endpoints were analyzed with the Spearman method and prediction ellipses. Multiple regression models were used to study the strength of associations with a pre-defined set of potential influencing factors. The prevalence of WMSDs was 56% (39/70). Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) score/pain under strain showed the strongest correlations with WMSDs. When analyzing the correlation between WMSDs and pre-selected predictors, none of the predictors could be identified as a risk factor. The DASH score remains a close candidate for best surrogate endpoint for WMSDs detection. Standardized analysis methods could improve the methodological quality of future occupational health studies.

Keywords: work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs); upper extremity; repetitive work; surgical device mechanics; DASH score; Purdue Pegboard Test; multiple analysis; correlation; predictors (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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