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DOI: 10.1016/S0266-7681(95)80047-6
Clinical Disorders and Pressure-Pain Threshold of the Forearm and Hand among Automobile Assembly Line WorkersFrom the Division of Applied Work Physiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Stockholm and the Health Care Division, Volvo Car Corporation, Gothenburg, Sweden Correspondence: S. Byström, Orthopedic Clinic, University Hospital, 751 85 Uppsala, Sweden. The prevalence of forearm and hand disorders was examined by questionnaire and clinical examination in 199 automobile assembly line workers and in 186 controls. The pressure-pain threshold, hand grip force and hand anthropometry were also studied. There was an increased prevalence of de Quervains disease for male automobile assembly line workers, and of carpal tunnel syndrome in female workers. The prevalence of symptoms in the forearm and hand during the last 7 days were twice as high among automobile assembly line workers than controls for both men and women. The occurrence of symptoms in the last 7 days was associated with de Quervains disease, carpal tunnel syndrome and sick-leave due to forearm or hand problems, and it also influenced activities of daily living. Hand grip strength and anthropometries were not associated with findings in the clinical examination or the occurrence of symptoms in the last 7 days. Low pressure-pain threshold was not associated with findings in the clinical examination, except for reported occurrence of symptoms in the last 7 days for women. Pressure-pain threshold as an indicator of tissue damage is discussed.
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