J Rheum Dis.  2015 Dec;22(6):366-373. 10.4078/jrd.2015.22.6.366.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Diseases among Farmers in Gyeongnam

• Suh YS
• Cheon YH
• Kim HO
• Kim RB
• Park KS
• Yang HS
• Park HB
• Na JB
• Yoon CH
• Lee SI

• KMID: 2222810
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4078/jrd.2015.22.6.366

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of upper extremity musculoskeletal diseases (MSDs) among Korean farmers.
METHODS
The study was carried out from June 2013 to August 2015 on 850 farmers and 203 non-farmers (controls) in Gyeongnam Province. Physical examinations were performed by rheumatologists, orthopedists, and rehabilitation specialists. Plain radiography, a nerve conduction examination, and magnetic resonance imaging were performed, and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire was used to assess upper extremity function.
RESULTS
Thirty-four different types of upper extremity MSDs were detected in the 1,053 study subjects. The prevalence of any MSD in farmers was 8.96-fold higher than in control (p<0.001). The most obvious difference in prevalence between farmers and non-farmers was hand osteoarthritis (48.2% vs. 4.9%). Mean total DASH score was higher for farmers than non-farmers (14.29+/-13.66 vs. 10.03+/-10.85, p<0.001). Among farmers, myofascial pain syndrome, rotator cuff tear, and epicondylitis were more prevalent among overhead workers (growing persimmons, pears, and grapes) than in non-overhead workers (growing rice and upland crops). The following factors were associated with a rotator cuff tear; older age, overhead work, high waist circumference, and lower level of education. Hand osteoarthritis was found to be associated with older age, a female gender, high waist circumference, and longer total work time.
CONCLUSION
The prevalence of upper extremity MSDs is much higher in farmers than non-farmers and greater still for farmers doing overhead work. Various factors contribute to the occurrence of upper extremity MSDs, and thus, the authors suggest an efficient preventive strategy, which involves consideration of type of work and risk factors, be established for farmers to reduce upper extremity MSDs.

Keyword

Musculoskeletal diseases; Upper extremity; Prevalence; Risk factors

MeSH Terms

Arm
Diospyros
Education
Female
Hand
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Musculoskeletal Diseases*
Myofascial Pain Syndromes
Neural Conduction
Osteoarthritis
Physical Examination
Prevalence*
Pyrus
Radiography
Rehabilitation
Risk Factors*
Rotator Cuff
Shoulder
Specialization
Tears
Upper Extremity*
Waist Circumference

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