Risk factors for incidence of rotator cuff syndrome in a large working population

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of personal and work-related factors on the incidence of rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) in a large working population.

METHODS

A total of 3710 French workers were included in a cross-sectional study in 2002-2005. All completed a self-administered questionnaire about personal factors and work exposure. Using a standardized physical examination, occupational physicians established a diagnosis of RCS. Between 2007-2010, 1611 workers were re-examined. Associations between RCS and risk factors at baseline were analyzed by logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 839 men and 617 women without RCS at baseline were eligible for analysis. RCS was diagnosed in 51 men (6.1%) and 45 women (7.3%). The risk of RCS increased with age for both genders [odds ratio (OR) 4.7 (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 2.2-10.0) for men aged 45-49 years and 5.4 (95% CI 2.3-13.2) for women aged 50-59 years; reference <40 years]. For men, the work-related risk factors were repeated posture with the arms above the shoulder level combined with high perceived physical exertion [OR 3.3 (95% CI 1.3-8.4)] and low coworker support [OR 2.0 (95% CI 1.1-3.9)]. For women, working with colleagues in temporary employment [OR 2.2 (95% CI 1.2-4.2)] and repeated arm abduction (60-90°) [OR 2.6 (95% CI 1.4-5.0)] were associated with RCS.

CONCLUSIONS

Age was the strongest predictor for incident cases of RCS, and arm abduction was the major work-related risk factor for both genders. Lack of social support was a predictor for RCS among men.

Personal, biomechanical, and psychosocial risk factors for rotator cuff syndrome in a working population

OBJECTIVE

Rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) is a major health problem among workers. The aim of the study was to examine the risk factors for RCS among workers exposed to various levels of shoulder constraints.

METHODS

From 3710 workers, representative of a French region`s working population, trained occupational physicians diagnosed a total of 142 cases of RCS among men and 132 among women between 2002-2005. Diagnoses were established by standardized physical examination while personal factors and work exposure were assessed by self-administered questionnaires. Statistical associations between RCS and personal and work-related factors were analyzed for each gender using logistic regression modeling.

RESULTS

The personal risk factors for RCS were age [odds ratio (OR) for 1-year increment 1.07, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.05-1.09, among men and 1.08, 95% CI 1.06-1.10, among women] and diabetes mellitus (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.0-8.6, among women). The work-related risk factors were (i) sustained or repeated arm abduction (≥ 2 hours/day) >90 degrees among men (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.3-3.9) and >60 degrees among women (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0-3.2) or both conditions among men (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.7) and women (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.8-7.3); (ii) high repetitiveness of the task (≥ 4 hours/day) among men (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.4) and women (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.5); (iii) high perceived physical demand among men (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.1); (iv) high psychological demand among men (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2-2.5); and (v) low decision authority among women (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.0-2.3).

CONCLUSION

Personal (ie, age) and work-related physical (ie, arm abduction) and psychosocial factors were associated with RCS for both genders in this working population.