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- Piedrahita, Hugo, et al.
(författare)
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Epidemiology approach of cold exposure and musculoskeletal disorders
- 2006
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Ingår i: World Congress on Ergonomics. - Amsterdam : Elsevier.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Both physical conditions and psychosocial factors at the workplace are implicated in the origin of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs); however, the evidence is stronger for physical conditions. Some epidemiologic studies have shown a relationship between exposure to cold and the development of musculoskeletal disorders, especially for neck and upper extremity. In order to compare the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms between cold-exposed and non-cold exposed workers, a cross-sectional epidemiologic study was performed. The Standardized Nordic Questionnaire was administered to all workers in the packing areas (162) in a large meat processing company in Colombia. The workers were divided in two groups: exposed (50 workers) working in very cold areas (+ 2oC), and less exposed (112 workers) working in less severe conditions (+ 9.4oC). The results show a high prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms among cold- exposed workers, especially for low back, neck and shoulders (48%, 36% and 24%). The estimated relative risks for neck and low back were 11.2 (95% CI 1.34 - 93.41) and 4.48 (95% CI 1.61 - 12.42), respectively. The authors conclude that these strong associations between cold exposure and musculoskeletal disorders are plausible but the mechanisms remain largely obscure and require further research, both experimental and epidemiologic.
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