Influence of prevalent occupational position during working day on occupational lower limb edema

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The lower limb edema observed in normal people at the end of their working days can vary in intensity and frequency depending on the predominant working positions required to perform different jobs.OBJECTIVES: To compare lower limb volumes of volunteers allocated to three study groups, depending on the predominant positions in which they work.METHODS: Volumetric assessments were conducted of both lower limbs of 51 people free from vascular disease, allocated to three groups of 17 individuals each by predominant working position: sitting, static standing or alternating between the two. Volumes were measured at the start and at the end of the working day and the differences in volumes were calculated for each group. Means and frequencies were compared using appropriate inferential statistics and correlation coefficients were calculated.RESULTS: The groups were homogenous in terms of sex distribution, age, skin color and BMI. The volumetric data from measurements taken before starting work revealed significant differences between all three groups. Volunteers who predominantly worked sitting down had largest volumes, followed by those who remained standing for long periods and then those who varied between these positions. The frequency of lower limb volume increase > 100 mL was significantly higher in the group of people who worked sitting down and maintained this position for long periods.CONCLUSIONS: Postural edema is more common among people who work sitting down for long periods, among whom it appears that there is a cumulative effect from the position, since they exhibit larger lower limb volumes at the start of the day.

Efeito da elastocompressão no edema de membros inferiores em profissionais da saúde após jornada vespertina de trabalho em centro cirúrgico

“…Outros estudos avaliam a formação de edema relacionado à posturas e profissões diversas, no entanto não se pesquisou a influência do uso de meias de elastocompressão na redução do edema formado. Em todos os trabalhos os autores puderam estabelecer a relação pretendida, evidenciando-se aumento no edema de membros inferiores relacionado ao ortostatismo e às jornadas de trabalho extenuantes 1,5,10 .…”

“…A correlação entre posturas laborais adotadas por longos períodos durante a jornada diária de trabalho e o aumento de volume dos membros inferiores (MMII) já está bem estabelecida, e isto ocorre inclusive em indivíduos sem sinais e sintomas de IVC 5 .…”

Is Kinesio taping effective for peripheral tissue perfusion in women with mild to moderate chronic venous insufficiency? A randomized controlled trial

“…Individuals with CVI present with venous retention not only at rest but also during and after walking activities secondary to muscle pump dysfunction [5]. The severity of the disease has been related to reduced mobility of the talocrural joint, which worsens the gait of affected people and contributes to the emergence of venous ulcers [6]. Tissue damage in chronic venous insufficiency results from perivascular inflammation caused by a variety of cytokine mechanisms that weaken the usual dermal barrier against pathogens and allergens [7].…”

Associação entre sintomas, veias varicosas e refluxo na veia safena magna ao eco-Doppler

“…The authors concluded that healthy people with fears of getting varicose veins exhibit symptoms with the same frequency as people with unknown GSV incompetence and patients with varicose veins. 9 Among many other risk factors (obesity, 10,11 family history, 9 pregnancy, working standing or sitting for long periods 12 ), it seems clear that age and female sex stand out, and have been identified by the Acireale project 8 and other authors. 13,14 However, female sex has not universally been considered a positive risk factor.…”