Upper limb disability in Norwegian workers with hand-arm vibration syndrome

Buhaug, Kristin; Moen, Bente E.; Irgens, Ågot

doi:10.1186/1745-6673-9-5

Cited by 21 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Typical symptoms include vasospasm of the fingers induced by cold, loss of sensitivity, tingling and paresthesia, and impaired hand function (Heaver et al 2011). Severe HAVS can lead to difficulties in performing everyday activities (Buhaug et al 2014), with lowered work ability and quality of life (Gerhardsson and Hagberg 2014; Sauni et al 2015). HAVS is often diagnosed by clinical examination based on the Stockholm workshop scale (Gemne et al 1987; Brammer et al 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tremor and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in road maintenance workers

Bast‐Pettersen

Ulvestad

Færden

et al. 2016

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to evaluate postural and rest tremor among workers using vibrating hand tools, taking into account the possible effects of toxicants such as alcohol and tobacco. A further aim was to study workers diagnosed with hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) at the time of examination.MethodsThis study comprises 103 road maintenance workers, 55 exposed to vibrating hand tools (age 41.0 years; range 21–62) and 48 referents (age 38.5 years; range 19–64). They were examined with the CATSYS Tremor Pen®. Exposure to vibrating tools and serum biomarkers of alcohol and tobacco consumption were measured.ResultsCumulative exposure to vibrating tools was associated with increased postural (p < 0.01) and rest tremor (p < 0.05) and with a higher Center Frequency of postural tremor (p < 0.01) among smokers and users of smokeless tobacco. Rest tremor Center Frequency was higher than postural tremor frequency (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThe main findings indicate an association between cumulative exposure to hand-held vibrating tools, tremor parameters and consumption of tobacco products. The hand position is important when testing for tremor. Rest tremor had a higher Center Frequency. Postural tremor was more strongly associated with exposure than rest tremor. The finding of increased tremor among the HAVS subjects indicated that tremor might be a part of the clinical picture of a HAVS diagnosis. As with all cross-sectional studies, inferences should be made with caution when drawing conclusions about associations between exposure and possible effects. Future research using longitudinal design is required to validate the findings of the present study.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Tremor and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in road maintenance workers

Bast‐Pettersen

Ulvestad

Færden

et al. 2016

Int Arch Occup Environ Health

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“…The symptoms musculoskeletal component, include pain and weakness in the upper extremities [21] leading to reduced grip strength. [3] Hand is the most distal-most part of the body and thus absorbs high-frequency vibrations and transmits it to arms and shoulders leading to pain and impairment of the function of upper extremities.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hand-arm vibration syndrome in farmers and its correlation with degenerative triangular fibrocartilage complex injury

Sagar

Lohana

2019

Indian J Occup Environ Med

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Context:Hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) is an occupational disease that affects workers who are exposed to vibrations. Farmers are prone to various musculoskeletal and cumulative trauma disorders. These occur owing to overuse, degeneration, and excess physical efforts along with whole-body vibrations- owing to the use of farming equipment such as tractors and harvesters.Aims:Aims of the study were to find out the prevalence of various symptoms of HAVS among farmers using tractors, harvesters, etc., and to find out the correlation of triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) injury with HAVS.Subjects and Methods:A prevalence study was conducted among farmers. Farmers were selected by random sampling method and were asked to fill-up a HAVS surveillance questionnaire. The handgrip strength was recorded with a hand dynamometer. Assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome was done, and correlation of HAVS with TFCC injury was assessed.Results:Data from 100 farmers was obtained and analyzed. The musculoskeletal symptoms of HAVS, more specifically pain was prevalent (n = 65), followed by sensorineural symptoms (n = 70), and the vascular symptoms were less common (n = 43). HAVS accounts for a prevalence of 64% with 39% of farmers having TFCC injury along with HAVS (P value = <0.0001).Conclusions:These findings reported in the study provide a better understanding of the impact and extent of HAVS in farmers. There is a significant prevalence of HAVS with mild symptoms of vascular component, mild to moderate symptoms of sensorineural component, and significant involvement of the musculoskeletal component. In addition, TFCC injury is correlated with HAVS.

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“…The condition leads to considerable negative health impact, and little or no improvement is expected even if vibration exposure ceases [11]. Many patients report effects on their daily life activities due to impaired upper extremity function [12][13][14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Adverse health manifestations in the hands of vibration exposed carpenters - a cross sectional study

Tekavec

Löfqvist

Larsson

et al. 2021

J Occup Med Toxicol

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Background Despite EU regulatory standards, many workers suffer injury as a result of working with hand-held vibrating tools. Our aim of this study was to confirm whether carpenters, a highly exposed group, suffer more injuries to their hands than painters, a group assumed to be less exposed to vibration. Methods 193 carpenters (participation rate 100%) and 72 painters (participation rate 67%), all men, answered a questionnaire and underwent a clinical examination to identify manifestations of neural and vascular origin in the hands. Neurosensory affection was defined as having at least one symptom in the fingers/hands (impaired perception of touch, warmth, or cold, impaired dexterity, increased sensation of cold, numbness or tingling, or pain in the fingers/hands when cold) and at least one clinical finding (impaired perception of touch, warmth, cold, vibration, or two-point discrimination). Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results Neurosensory affection was fulfilled for 31% of the carpenters and 17% of the painters, age-adjusted OR 3.3 (CI 1.6–7.0). Among carpenters with neurosensory affection 18% reported interference with daily life activities, the most common symptoms being increased sensation of cold, numbness and pain in the fingers/hands when cold, the most common clinical findings were impaired perception of touch and vibration. Neurosensory affection was found in 12% of young carpenters (≤ 30 years old). No difference was found in the prevalence of white fingers between carpenters and painters. Conclusions Carpenters showed more symptoms and clinical findings of neurosensory affection than painters, probably due to vibration exposure. Also young carpenters showed signs of neurosensory affection, which indicates that under current conditions workers at these companies are not protected against injury. This underlines the importance of reducing exposure to vibration and conducting regular medical check-ups to detect early signs of neural and vascular manifestations indicating hand-arm vibration injuries. Special attention should be given to symptoms of increased sensation of cold, pain in the fingers when cold, and numbness, as these were the most common initiating ones, and should be addressed as early as possible in the preventive sentinel process. It is also important to test clinically for small- and large-fibre neuropathy, as the individual may be unaware of any pathology.

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Upper limb disability in Norwegian workers with hand-arm vibration syndrome

Cited by 21 publications

References 26 publications

Tremor and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in road maintenance workers

Tremor and hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in road maintenance workers

Hand-arm vibration syndrome in farmers and its correlation with degenerative triangular fibrocartilage complex injury

Adverse health manifestations in the hands of vibration exposed carpenters - a cross sectional study

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