Abstract
The etiology of musculoskeletal disorders is complex, with physical and psychosocial working conditions playing an important role. This study aimed to determine the relationship between psychosocial work conditions, such as psychological job demands, decision latitude, social support and job insecurity and musculoskeletal complains (MSCs) and (repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) in a 1-year prospective study. The job content questionnaire, the Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and provocation tests were used to study 725 employees aged 20–70 years. Pain in the lower back (58 % of subjects), neck (57 %), wrists/hands (47 %) and upper back (44 %) was most frequent. The carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) (33.6 %), rotator cuff tendinitis (15.4 %), Guyon’s canal syndrome (13.4 %), lateral epicondylitis (7.6 %), medial epicondylitis (5.3 %), tendinitis of forearm–wrist extensors (7.8 %) and tendinitis of forearm–wrist flexors (7.3 %) were the most frequent RSIs. Logistic analysis showed that increased psychological job demands statistically significantly increased the probability of lateral and medial epicondylitis, and increased control (decision latitude) statistically significantly decreased the risk of CTS. There was no relationship between job insecurity, social support and the studied RSIs. Psychosocial factors at work predict prevalence of MSCs and RSIs, irrespectively of demographic factors, e.g., age or gender, and organizational and physical factors.
Highlights
Maintaining work ability as long as possible and simultaneously the best health-related quality of life becomes a self-evident expectance of the society at large
This study aimed to determine the relationship between psychosocial work conditions, such as psychological job demands, decision latitude, social support and job insecurity and musculoskeletal complains (MSCs) and (repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) in a 1-year prospective study
Logistic analysis showed that increased psychological job demands statistically significantly increased the probability of lateral and medial epicondylitis, and increased control statistically significantly decreased the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)
Summary
Maintaining work ability as long as possible and simultaneously the best health-related quality of life becomes a self-evident expectance of the society at large. Irrespective of their job type, some health problems occur more and more often and this tendency increases. Symptomatology of these problems might be different with repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) being one of the most common. Musculoskeletal complaints (MSCs), i.e., mainly regional pain in the locomotor system, are often observed in that population. This means employees more and more frequently seek specialist rheumatic care. The large body of literature focuses on MSDs, the synonym for RSIs, formerly recognized under names of overload syndromes or overload injuries. Those factors are compounded by personal factors related to health and life style
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary 
Published Version (
Free)
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call