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Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health 7/2008

01-07-2008 | Original Article

Locomotor diseases among male long-haul truck drivers and other professional drivers

Authors: Anker Jensen, Linda Kaerlev, Finn Tüchsen, Harald Hannerz, Søren Dahl, Per Sabro Nielsen, Jørn Olsen

Published in: International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health | Issue 7/2008

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Abstract

Objective

High risks for locomotor diseases have been reported for bus and truck drivers in general; however, little is known about the specific risks of long-haul truck drivers.

Methods

Standardised hospitalisation ratios (SHR) for different locomotor diseases of bus drivers, long-haul truck drivers and other truck drivers were compared with each other and with the general Danish working population.

Results

Intervertebral disc disorders were more common among professional drivers (SHR: 119, 95% CI: 114–125) and of similar magnitude for cervical and non-cervical disorders. Both long-haul truck drivers and bus drivers had higher SHR for intervertebral disc disorders (SHR: 133, 95% CI: 114–155/SHR: 141, 95% CI: 129–154, respectively) than other truck drivers (SHR: 109, 95% CI: 102–116). The SHR for carpal tunnel syndrome was high among long-haul drivers (SHR: 163, 95% CI: 101–249) and for other truck drivers (SHR: 130, 95% CI: 108–156) compared to bus drivers (SHR: 110, 95% CI: 79–149). All drivers had high SHR for lesions of the ulnar nerve (SHR: 159, 95% CI: 119–207), especially bus drivers (SHR: 197, 95% CI: 116–311). Long-haul truck drivers had high SHRs for synovitis and bursitis (SHR: 150, 95% CI: 105–207), in contrast to other truck drivers and bus drivers (SHR: 103, 95% CI: 89–120/SHR: 87, 95% CI: 66–112, respectively).

Conclusion

All groups of professional drivers experience high risk of various disorders of the locomotor system but type of vehicle and specific working conditions are associated with different health effects on the locomotor system.
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Metadata
Title
Locomotor diseases among male long-haul truck drivers and other professional drivers
Authors
Anker Jensen
Linda Kaerlev
Finn Tüchsen
Harald Hannerz
Søren Dahl
Per Sabro Nielsen
Jørn Olsen
Publication date
01-07-2008
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health / Issue 7/2008
Print ISSN: 0340-0131
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1246
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00420-007-0270-4

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