Article

Quantitative exposure-response relations between physical workload and prevalence of lateral epicondylitis in a working population.

Safety & Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP), Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Olympia, Washington, USA.
American Journal of Industrial Medicine (impact factor: 1.63). 04/2009; 52(6):479-90. DOI:10.1002/ajim.20700 pp.479-90
Source: PubMed

ABSTRACT Lateral epicondylitis is a common work-related musculoskeletal disorder. The objective of this study was to identify risk factors associated with lateral epicondylitis among active workers.
Seven-hundred thirty-three workers in 12 Washington worksites participated in structured interviews, physical examinations, and individual exposure assessments of biomechanical and psychosocial factors. Multivariable logistic modeling was used.
Thirty-eight subjects (5.2%) had lateral epicondylitis. Age (36-50 years-old), being female, and low social support at work were significant risk factors. Frequency of forceful exertion (> or =5 vs. < 1 times/min (OR 5.17, 95%CI 1.78-15.02), and > or =1 to <5 vs. <1 (OR 4.47, 95%CI 1.57-13.71)) and forearm supination at > or =45 degrees for > or =5% of the time with high lifting force (OR = 2.98, 95% CI 1.18-7.55) were significant physical load factors.
Frequency of forceful exertion or a combination of forearm supination and forceful lifting were significant physical factors and should be considered for prevention strategies.

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    Article: Lateral epicondylalgia. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of interdisciplinary cooperation and treatment choice in the Swedish health care system
    Pia Nilsson PhD (PTR, Eva-Carin Lindgren PhD (Senior Lecturer, PhD (Associate Professor) Jörgen Månsson MD
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    ABSTRACT: Scand J Caring Sci; 2012; 26; 28–37Lateral epicondylalgia. A quantitative and qualitative analysis of interdisciplinary cooperation and treatment choice in the Swedish health care systemObjective and aim:  Interdisciplinary cooperation is essential to develop a broad range of knowledge and skills. The aim of this study was to describe health care professionals’ treatment choices, their cooperation with other professionals and their perceptions of potential risks regarding treatments of acute lateral epicondylalgia (LE).Design:  A quantitative descriptive study design with a summative approach to qualitative analysis.Ethical issues:  The ethical committee was asked verbally for approval but, as this study was performed to develop an organised way to treat LE, it did not require approval. The four ethical aspects information, consent, confidentiality and the use of the study materials were all addressed.Subjects:  All orthopaedic surgeons, general practitioners, physiotherapists and occupational therapists in a county.Methods:  Questionnaire with 18 dichotomous, multiple-response, multiple-choice questions and three open-ended questions were analysed using quantitative cross-tab and qualitative content analysis with summative approach.Results:  The most common treatment choices were Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID), corticosteroid injections, training programmes, braces and ergonomics. Advantages from interdisciplinary cooperation were higher rated than disadvantages. The qualitative findings dealt with perceptions of interdisciplinary cooperation and resulted in three categories; right level of care, increased quality of care and decreased quality of care. Almost half of the physicians felt potential risks associated with their treatment methods. The qualitative findings dealt with perceptions of the potential risks and resulted in two categories: side effects and inadequate treatment.Study limitations:  The number of responses varied because some of the respondents did not answered all of the questions.Conclusion:  Interdisciplinary cooperation in the treatment of patients with acute LE benefits the patients by shortening the rehabilitation period and provides health care professionals the opportunity for an improved learning and exchanging experiences. These basic conditions must be met to improve health care quality.
    Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences 02/2012; 26(1):28 - 37. · 0.89 Impact Factor
Data provided are for informational purposes only. Although carefully collected, accuracy cannot be guaranteed. The impact factor represents a rough estimation of the journal's impact factor and does not reflect the actual current impact factor. Publisher conditions are provided by RoMEO. Differing provisions from the publisher's actual policy or licence agreement may be applicable.

Keywords

12 Washington worksites
 
active workers
 
common work-related musculoskeletal disorder
 
forceful
 
forceful exertion
 
individual exposure assessments
 
Lateral epicondylitis
 
low social support
 
Multivariable logistic modeling
 
psychosocial factors
 
risk factors
 
thirty-three workers