Self-Reported Variables as Determinants of Upper Limb Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Assembly Line Workers

• Published in: Safety and health at work Vol. 11; no. 4; pp. 491 - 499
• Main Authors: Guerreiro, Marisa M, Serranheira, Florentino, Cruz, Eduardo B, Sousa-Uva, Antonio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 2020
• Subjects: Automotive assembly line; Occupational health; High-demanding jobs; Work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders
• ISSN: 2093-7911; 2093-7997

Background: Assembly lines work is frequently associated to work-related upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. The related disability and absenteeism make it important to implement efficient health surveillance systems. The main objective of this study was to identify self-reported variables that can determine work-related upper limb musculoskeletal symptoms-discomfort/pain-during a 6-month follow-up. Methods: This was a prospective study with a 6-month follow-up period, performed in an assembly line. Upper limb musculoskeletal discomfort/pain was assessed through the presence of self-reported symptoms. Uni- and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate which self-reported variables were associated to upper limb symptoms after 6 months at the present and to upper limbs symptoms in the past month. Results: Of the 200 workers at baseline, 145 replied to the survey after 6 months. For both outcomes, "having upper limb symptoms during the previous 6 months" and "education" were possible predictors. Conclusion: Our results suggest that having previous upper limb symptoms was related to its maintenance after 6 months, sustaining it as a specific determinant. It can be a hypothesis that this population had mainly workers with chronic symptoms, although our results give only limited support to self-reported indicators as determinants for upper limb symptoms. Nevertheless, the development of an efficient health surveillance system for high demanding jobs should implicate self-reported indicators, but also clinical and work conditions assessment should be accounted on the future.