Risk of shoulder tendinitis in relation to shoulder loads in monotonous repetitive work

• DOI: 10.1002/ajim.10019
• Publication Date: 2002-08-25T16:25:38Z
• Authors: Poul Frost; Jens Peter E. Bonde; Sigurd Mikkelsen; Johan H. Andersen; Nils Fallentin; Anette Kaergaard; Jane F. Thomsen
• Keywords: Tendinitis

Abstract Background Few studies relate the occurrence of shoulder disorders to quantified ergonomic exposures. This study evaluates hypothesis that loads in repetitive work might contribute tendinitis. Methods is a cross‐sectional 1961 workers and 782 referents. Shoulder were at task level measures exposures assigned based on distribution. Symptoms combination with clinical criteria defined Results The prevalence tendinitis was higher among exposed (adjusted OR 3.1, 95% CI 1.3–3). Neither frequency movements (ranging 1–36/min) nor lack micro‐pauses flexion 0–100% cyclus time) related disease prevalence. Increasing force requirements (categorized as light = 1, somewhat hard 2, 3 or very 4) increased risk slightly (OR 1.6, 1.0–2.6 per unit). Conclusions results indicate tasks have tendinitis, which partially can be attributed requirements. Am. J. Ind. Med. 41:11–18, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.