Occupational demands associated with rotator cuff disease surgery in the UK Biobank

Development of a gender-specific European job exposure matrix (EuroJEM) for physical workload and its validation against musculoskeletal pain

OBJECTIVES

The aim was to develop a gender-specific European job exposure matrix (EuroJEM) for occupational physical workload and study its predictive validity for musculoskeletal pain in four European cohorts.

METHODS

National, gender-specific JEM from Finland, France, Norway and Sweden, based on self-reported exposure information, were evaluated for similarities in exposures, exposure definitions, and occupational coding. The EuroJEM harmonized five exposures: heavy lifting, faster breathing due to heavy workload, kneeling/squatting, forward bent posture, and working with hands above shoulder level. Our expert panel addressed disagreements and missing information to reach consensus on exposure levels across occupations. To assess predictive validity of the EuroJEM, we examined associations between the harmonized exposure measures and self-reported musculoskeletal pain across the four cohorts.

RESULTS

The EuroJEM provides semi-quantitative exposure estimates for 374 ISCO-88 (COM) occupational codes. Five categories of exposure were defined by the proportion of workers exposed within each occupation. Comparable and statistically significant associations were found between EuroJEM exposures and low back, shoulder, and knee pain across all cohorts and genders, except for knee pain among women in the Finnish cohort. For instance, in both genders heavy lifting, faster breathing due to heavy workload, and forward bent posture were statistically significantly associated with low-back pain in all four cohorts, with OR ranging from 1.25-2.18 (men) and 1.23-2.04 (women).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite differences in study populations and outcome definitions, good predictive validity was observed in each national cohort, suggesting that EuroJEM can be an effective tool for exposure assessment in large-scale European epidemiological studies.

List of occupational diseases among farmers in Korea: a literature review

A comprehensive list of occupational diseases among farmers is crucial for both compensation and prevention efforts. In Korea, most farmers are self-employed, and some occupational diseases are compensated through farmer safety insurance. However, it is not harmonized with industrial accident compensation insurance and does not adequately reflect the true burden of occupational diseases among farmers. To address this gap, the authors compiled a list of occupational diseases tailored to Korean farmers by reviewing the International Labor Organization's list of occupational diseases, the Korean Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance List, the occupational disease lists of other countries, and relevant literature on farmers' work-related diseases.

Occupational tasks associated with shoulder pain and upper extremity disability: a cross-sectional study in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project

BACKGROUND

Shoulder pain is a leading cause of disability. Occupations requiring high upper extremity demands may put workers at greater risk of shoulder injury and resulting pain. We examined associations of occupation with shoulder pain and upper extremity disability in the Johnston County Osteoarthritis Project.

METHODS

Work industry and occupational tasks for the longest job held were collected from participants. At follow-up ranging from 4-10 years later, participants were asked about shoulder symptoms (pain, aching, or stiffness occurring most days of 1 month in the last year) and given a 9-item, modified Disabilities Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire to categorize disability from 0-4 (none-worst). Logistic regression and cumulative logit regression models were used to estimate associations with prevalent shoulder symptoms and with worse disability category, respectively. Models were adjusted for cohort, age, sex, race, education and time to follow-up. Sex- and race-stratified associations were evaluated.

RESULTS

Among 1560 included participants, mean age was 62 years (standard deviation ± 9 years); 32% were men, and 31% were Black. Compared to the managerial/professional industry, higher odds of both shoulder symptoms and worse upper extremity disability were seen for most industrial groups with physically demanding jobs, particularly the service industry. Work that often or always required lifting/moving > 10 lbs. was associated with higher odds of shoulder symptoms. Work that sometimes or always required heavy work while standing was associated with higher odds of shoulder symptoms, and this association was stronger among men and White workers.

CONCLUSION

Physically demanding occupations were associated with increased occurrence of shoulder pain and disability. Mitigating specific physical work demands may reduce shoulder-related disability.

Rotator cuff tears

Rotator cuff tears are the most common upper extremity condition seen by primary care and orthopaedic surgeons, with a spectrum ranging from tendinopathy to full-thickness tears with arthritic change. Some tears are traumatic, but most rotator cuff problems are degenerative. Not all tears are symptomatic and not all progress, and many patients in whom tears become more extensive do not experience symptom worsening. Hence, a standard algorithm for managing patients is challenging. The pathophysiology of rotator cuff tears is complex and encompasses an interplay between the tendon, bone and muscle. Rotator cuff tears begin as degenerative changes within the tendon, with matrix disorganization and inflammatory changes. Subsequently, tears progress to partial-thickness and then full-thickness tears. Muscle quality, as evidenced by the overall size of the muscle and intramuscular fatty infiltration, also influences symptoms, tear progression and the outcomes of surgery. Treatment depends primarily on symptoms, with non-operative management sufficient for most patients with rotator cuff problems. Modern arthroscopic repair techniques have improved recovery, but outcomes are still limited by a lack of understanding of how to improve tendon to bone healing in many patients.

Fifty years of research in the Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health

OBJECTIVE

The Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health was launched 50 years ago. In this paper we describe how research topics have changed over time.

METHODS

A complete list of all 2899 articles in the past 50 years was compiled. Each article was coded for type of exposure, type of health outcome, research design, first author, and country of correspondence address. Count of citations was based on the Scopus database.

RESULTS

Overall, the attention for chemical exposure in the first 30 years has shifted towards the psychosocial work environment, shift work, and physical work load. These shifts in exposure are mirrored by increased attention over time for mental disorders and musculoskeletal disorders. Cardiovascular disorders and cancer have been studied consistently over the past 50 years. Researchers from Scandinavian countries have been responsible for about 50% of the Journal's content, while authorship has broadened to about 30 countries in recent years.

CONCLUSION

During the past 50 years, some research topics have consistently remained highly visible in the Journal, whereas other topics have gained or lost interest. In terms of authors' contribution, the Journal has its roots in research from the Nordic countries, but has evolved over time as a truly international periodical with a well-recognized position in research on occupational health.

Incidence of shoulder disorders in a cohort of healthcare workers from 2009 to 2020

PURPOSE

To estimate the incidence of shoulder disorders in a cohort of Health Care Workers (HCWs).

METHODS

4406 workers employed from 2009 to 2020, were included in the study. Occupational risk factors and jobs were assessed according to working history. Incident cases were defined in case of shoulder pain associated with functional limitations during the medical examination. The Cox regression model was used to calculate the Hazard Ratio (HR) for different work activities, adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and previous musculoskeletal injuries, using clerks as the reference category.

RESULTS

The incidence rates of shoulder musculoskeletal disorder for men and women were 13.1 for 1000 person-years (CI 95% 10.6-16.3) and 20.1 for 1000 person-years (CI 95% 17.8-22.6) respectively. The adjusted HR was significantly increased with age (1.06, CI 95% 1.05-1.07), outpatient health activities (2.82, CI 95% 1.89-4.219), and wards health activity (2.37, CI 95% 1.68-3.33).

CONCLUSION

HCWs with high biomechanical risk such as nurses and healthcare assistants had a higher incidence of shoulder disorders. Actions are needed for better prevention in health care assistance.