Skip to main content
Key Specialties
Cardiology Diabetology Endocrinology Gastroenterology Geriatrics and Gerontology Gynecology and Obstetrics Hematology Infectious Disease Internal Medicine Nephrology Neurology Oncology Pediatrics Respiratory Medicine Rheumatology Surgery
Congress Coverage
2024 ACC Congress 2023 ESMO Congress 2023 EASD Congress 2023 ERS Congress 2023 ESC Congress
Clinical Collections
Advances in Alzheimer’s

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.
ADVANCED SEARCH
Log in
Top
BMC Public Health
Published in: BMC Public Health 1/2005

Open Access 01-12-2005 | Research article

Prevalence and associations of symptoms of upper extremities, repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and 'RSI-like condition'. A cross sectional study of bank workers in Northeast Brazil

Authors: Eliana M Lacerda, Luis C Nácul, Lia G da S Augusto, Maria Teresa A Olinto, Dyhanne C Rocha, Danielle C Wanderley

Published in: BMC Public Health | Issue 1/2005

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

The repetitive strain injury syndrome (RSI) is a worldwide occupational health problem affecting all types of economic activities. We investigated the prevalence and some risk factors for RSI and related conditions, namely 'symptoms of upper limbs' and 'RSI-like condition'.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study with 395 bank workers in Recife, Northeast Brazil. Symptoms of upper limbs and 'RSI-like condition' were assessed by a simple questionnaire, which was used to screen probable cases of RSI. The diagnosis of RSI was confirmed by clinical examination. The associations of potential risk factors and the outcomes were assessed by multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results

We found prevalence rates of 56% for symptoms of the upper limbs and 30% for 'RSI-like condition'. The estimated prevalence of clinically confirmed cases of RSI was 22%. Female sex and occupation (as cashier or clerk) increased the risk of all conditions, but the associations were stronger for cases of RSI than for less specific diagnoses of 'RSI-like condition' and symptoms of upper limbs. Age was inversely related to the risk of symptoms of upper limbs but not to 'RSI-like' or RSI.

Conclusion

The variation in the magnitude of risk according to the outcome assessed suggests that previous studies using different definitions may not be immediately comparable. We propose the use of a simple instrument to screen cases of RSI in population based studies, which still needs to be validated in other populations. The high prevalence of RSI and related conditions in this population suggests the need for urgent interventions to tackle the problem, which could be directed to individuals at higher risk and to changes in the work organization and environment of the general population.
Literature
1.
Barr AE, Barbe MF: Pathophysiological tissue changes associated with repetitive movement: a review of the evidence. Phys Ther. 2002, 82: 173-187.PubMedPubMedCentral
2.
Silverstein B, Viikari-Juntura E, Kalat J: Use of a prevention index to identify industries at high risk for work-related musculoskeletal disorders of the neck, back, and upper extremity in Washington state, 1990-1998. Am J Ind Med. 2002, 41: 149-169. 10.1002/ajim.10054.CrossRefPubMed
3.
Bongers PM, de Vet HC, Blatter BM: Repetitive strain injury (RSI): occurrence, etiology, therapy and prevention. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2002, 146: 1971-1976.PubMed
4.
5.
6.
Santos Filho SB, Barreto SM: Methodological issues in epidemiological studies of repetitive strain injuries. Cad Saude Publica. 1998, 14: 555-563.CrossRefPubMed
7.
Szabo RM, King KJ: Repetitive stress injury: diagnosis or self-fulfilling prophecy?. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2000, 82: 1314-1322.CrossRefPubMed
8.
Nathan PA, Meadows KD: Neuromusculoskeletal conditions of the upper extremity: are they due to repetitive occupational trauma?. Occup Med. 2000, 15: 677-93, iii.PubMed
9.
Verhagen AP, Bierma-Zeinstra SMA, Feleus A, Karels C, Dahaghin S, Burdorf L, de Vet HCW, Koes BW: Ergonomic and physiotherapeutic interventions for treating upper extremity work related disorders in adults. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2003, Issue: 3, Art. No.: CD003471. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003471.pub2.-
10.
Ferreira Junior M, Conceiçäo GM, Saldiva PH: Work organization is significantly associated with upper extremities musculoskeletal disorders among employees engaged in interactive computer-telephone tasks of an international bank subsidiary in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Am J Ind Med. 1997, 31: 468-473. 10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199704)31:4<468::AID-AJIM14>3.0.CO;2-Y.CrossRefPubMed
11.
Murofuse NT, Marziale MH: Changes in the work and life of bank employees with repetitive strain injury: RSI. Rev Lat Am Enfermagem. 2001, 9: 19-25.CrossRefPubMed
12.
Yu IT, Wong TW: Musculoskeletal problems among VDU workers in a Hong Kong bank. Occup Med (Lond). 1996, 46: 275-280.CrossRef
13.
Takala EP, Viikari-Juntura E, Moneta GB, Saarenmaa K, Kaivanto K: Seasonal variation in neck and shoulder symptoms. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1992, 18: 257-261.CrossRefPubMed
14.
Pinheiro FA, Troccoli BT, Carvalho CV: Validity of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire as morbidity measurement tool. Rev Saude Publica. 2002, 36: 307-312.CrossRefPubMed
15.
Lacerda EM: A relação entre lesões por esforços repetitivos e o trabalho bancário - estudo em uma instituição na cidade do recife. Departamento de Medicina Social/Núcleo de Saúde Pública. 2001, Recife, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco
16.
Greenland S: Basic Methods for Sensitivity Analysis and External Adjustment. Modern Epidemiology. Edited by: Kenneth J. Rothman SG. 1998, Philadelphia, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 353-355. 2nd
17.
Instituto Nacional de Seguridade Social: Norma Técnica sobre Lesões por Esforços Repetitivos ou Distúrbios Osteomusculares Relacionados ao Trabalho. DOU. 1998, Seção I-
18.
Assunção AA, Rocha LE: Agora até namorar fica difícil: uma história de lesões por esforços repetitivos. Vida, doença e trabalho no Brasil. Edited by: Buschinelli JT, Rocha LE and Rigotto RM. 1993, Rio de Janeiro, Atheneu, 175-181.
19.
Kirkwood BR, Sterne JAC: Medical statistics. 2003, Oxford, Blackweel Science, 2nd.
20.
Katz MH: Multivariable analysis - a pratical guide for clinicians. 2000, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 2nd
21.
Ribeiro HP: A violência oculta do trabalho. As Lesões por Esforços Repetitivos. 2000, Rio de Janeiro, Editora FIOCRUZ
22.
Sluiter JK, Rest KM, Frings-Dresen MH: Criteria document for evaluating the work-relatedness of upper-extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2001, 27 Suppl 1: 1-102.CrossRefPubMed
23.
Kuorinka I, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Vinterberg H, Biering-Sorensen F, Andersson G, Jorgensen K: Standardised Nordic questionnaires for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms. Appl Ergon. 1987, 18: 233-237. 10.1016/0003-6870(87)90010-X.CrossRefPubMed
24.
Viikari-Juntura E: Risk factors for upper limb disorders. Implications for prevention and treatment. Clin Orthop. 1998, 39-43.
25.
26.
Reis RJ, Pinheiro TM, Navarro A, Martin MM: Profile of occupational disease outpatients and the presence of repetitive strain injury. Rev Saude Publica. 2000, 34: 292-298.PubMed
27.
Leclerc A, Landre MF, Chastang JF, Niedhammer I, Roquelaure Y: Upper-limb disorders in repetitive work. Scand J Work Environ Health. 2001, 27: 268-278.CrossRefPubMed
28.
Kutluhan S, Akhan G, Demirci S, Duru S, Koyuncuoglu HR, Ozturk M, Cirak B: Carpal tunnel syndrome in carpet workers. Int Arch Occup Environ Health. 2001, 74: 454-457. 10.1007/s004200100246.CrossRefPubMed
29.
Kao SY: Carpal tunnel syndrome as an occupational disease. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2003, 16: 533-542.CrossRefPubMed
30.
Armstrong TJ, Buckle P, Fine LJ, Hagberg M, Jonsson B, Kilbom A, Kuorinka IA, Silverstein BA, Sjogaard G, Viikari-Juntura ER: A conceptual model for work-related neck and upper-limb musculoskeletal disorders. Scand J Work Environ Health. 1993, 19: 73-84.CrossRefPubMed
31.
Alexopoulos EC, Stathi IC, Charizani F: Prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders in dentists. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2004, 5: 16-10.1186/1471-2474-5-16.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
32.
Atcheson SG, Ward JR, Lowe W: Concurrent medical disease in work-related carpal tunnel syndrome. Arch Intern Med. 1998, 158: 1506-1512. 10.1001/archinte.158.14.1506.CrossRefPubMed
33.
Barbieri PG, Colombini D, Rocco A, Custureri F, Paderno G: Outbreak of carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper limbs in automobile seat assemblers: results of exposure evaluation and clinical investigation. Med Lav. 1996, 87: 646-655.PubMed
34.
Dias JJ, Burke FD, Wildin CJ, Heras-Palou C, Bradley MJ: Carpal tunnel syndrome and work. J Hand Surg [Br]. 2004, 29: 329-333. 10.1016/j.jhsb.2004.03.002.CrossRef
35.
Diaz JH: Carpal tunnel syndrome in female nurse anesthetists versus operating room nurses: prevalence, laterality, and impact of handedness. Anesth Analg. 2001, 93: 975-980. 10.1097/00000539-200110000-00035.CrossRefPubMed
36.
Szabo RM: Carpal tunnel syndrome as a repetitive motion disorder. Clin Orthop. 1998, 78-89.
37.
Barbieri PG, Colombini D, Occhipinti E, Vigasio A, Poli R: [Epidemics of musculotendinous pathologies of the upper limbs (cumulative trauma disorders) in a group of assembly line workers]. Med Lav. 1993, 84: 487-500.PubMed
38.
Farnsworth EM: Diagnosis and management of repetitive strain injury. Adv Nurse Pract. 2001, 9: 32-8; quiz 38-9.PubMed
39.
Sato L: RSI: object and pretext for constructing the work and health field. Cad Saude Publica. 2001, 17: 147-152.CrossRefPubMed
40.
Sorgatz H: Repetitive strain injuries. Forearm pain caused by tissue responses to repetitive strain. Orthopade. 2002, 31: 1006-1014. 10.1007/s00132-002-0354-5.CrossRefPubMed
41.
Willems JH: Repetitive strain injury (RSI); a report from the Health Council of the Netherlands. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2002, 146: 1969-1970.PubMed
42.
Feuerstein M, Miller VL, Burrell LM, Berger R: Occupational upper extremity disorders in the federal workforce. Prevalence, health care expenditures, and patterns of work disability. J Occup Environ Med. 1998, 40: 546-555. 10.1097/00043764-199806000-00007.CrossRefPubMed
43.
Nordander C, Ohlsson K, Balogh I, Rylander L, Palsson B, Skerfving S: Fish processing work: the impact of two sex dependent exposure profiles on musculoskeletal health. Occup Environ Med. 1999, 56: 256-264.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
44.
45.
46.
Leclerc A, Chastang JF, Niedhammer I, Landre MF, Roquelaure Y: Incidence of shoulder pain in repetitive work. Occup Environ Med. 2004, 61: 39-44.PubMedPubMedCentral
47.
Kaergaard A, Andersen JH: Musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and shoulders in female sewing machine operators: prevalence, incidence, and prognosis. Occup Environ Med. 2000, 57: 528-534. 10.1136/oem.57.8.528.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
48.
Fransson-Hall C, Bystrom S, Kilbom A: Self-reported physical exposure and musculoskeletal symptoms of the forearm-hand among automobile assembly-line workers. J Occup Environ Med. 1995, 37: 1136-1144.CrossRefPubMed
49.
Ohlsson K, Hansson GA, Balogh I, Stromberg U, Palsson B, Nordander C, Rylander L, Skerfving S: Disorders of the neck and upper limbs in women in the fish processing industry. Occup Environ Med. 1994, 51: 826-832.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
50.
Mathiassen SE, Winkel J, Sahlin K, Melin E: Biochemical indicators of hazardous shoulder-neck loads in light industry. J Occup Med. 1993, 35: 404-407.PubMed
51.
Treaster DE, Burr D: Gender differences in prevalence of upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders. Ergonomics. 2004, 47: 495-526. 10.1080/00140130310001638171.CrossRefPubMed
52.
Ferraz MB, Frumkin H, Helfenstein M, Gianeschini C, Atra E, Inoue O, Seiji K, Kudo S, Jin C, Cai SX, SJ L, Watanabe T, Nakatsuka H, Ikeda M: Upper-extremity Musculoskeletal Disorders in Keyboard Operators in Brazil: A Cross-sectional Study. Int J Occup Environ Health. 1995, 1: 239-244.CrossRefPubMed
53.
Banerjee P, Gangopadhyay S: A study on the prevalence of upper extremity repetitive strain injuries among the handloom weavers of West Bengal. J Hum Ergol (Tokyo). 2003, 32: 17-22.
54.
Hansson GA, Balogh I, Ohlsson K, Palsson B, Rylander L, Skerfving S: Impact of physical exposure on neck and upper limb disorders in female workers. Appl Ergon. 2000, 31: 301-310. 10.1016/S0003-6870(99)00047-2.CrossRefPubMed
55.
Pascarelli EF, Hsu YP: Understanding work-related upper extremity disorders: clinical findings in 485 computer users, musicians, and others. J Occup Rehabil. 2001, 11: 1-21. 10.1023/A:1016647923501.CrossRefPubMed
56.
Nieradko B, Borzecki A: Computer use and computer related repetitive strain injuries among students of the Medical University of Lublin. Ann Univ Mariae Curie Sklodowska [Med]. 2003, 58: 354-357.
57.
Santos Filho SB, Barreto SM: Occupational activity and prevalence of osteomuscular pain among dentists in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil: a contribution to the debate on work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Cad Saude Publica. 2001, 17: 181-193.CrossRefPubMed
58.
Arvidsson I, Akesson I, Hansson GA: Wrist movements among females in a repetitive, non-forceful work. Appl Ergon. 2003, 34: 309-316. 10.1016/S0003-6870(03)00042-5.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Prevalence and associations of symptoms of upper extremities, repetitive strain injuries (RSI) and 'RSI-like condition'. A cross sectional study of bank workers in Northeast Brazil
Authors
Eliana M Lacerda
Luis C Nácul
Lia G da S Augusto
Maria Teresa A Olinto
Dyhanne C Rocha
Danielle C Wanderley
Publication date
01-12-2005
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Public Health / Issue 1/2005
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2458
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-5-107

Other articles of this Issue 1/2005

BMC Public Health 1/2005 Go to the issue

Research article

Risk factors for adverse perinatal outcomes in imprisoned pregnant women: a systematic review

Research article

HIV prevention programmes for female sex workers in Andhra Pradesh, India: outputs, cost and efficiency

Research article

Smoking and tooth discolouration: findings from a national cross-sectional study

Research article

Improving the Deaf community's access to prostate and testicular cancer information: a survey study

Research article

An economic way of reducing health, environmental, and other pressures of urban traffic: a decision analysis on trip aggregation

Research article

Socio-demographic factors associated with smoking and smoking cessation among 426,344 pregnant women in New South Wales, Australia