Affiliations: Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht
University, Maastricht, The Netherlands | Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University
Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands | Department of Public Health, Erasmus Medical Centre,
Rotterdam, The Netherlands | Department of Epidemiology, Maastricht University,
Maastricht, The Netherlands | University Medical Centre Groningen, University of
Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands | Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare,
Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Note: [] Address for correspondence: Marjon van Eijsden-Besseling, P.O.
Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. Tel.: +31 43 3875147; Fax: +31
43 3875142; Mobile: +31 621255462; E-mail: [email protected]; [email protected]
Abstract: Objective: To assess the influence of work- and treatment-related
factors on clinical status and functional disability in patients with
non-specific work-related upper limb disorders (WRULD). Participants: 182 computer workers with non-specific WRULD, 18–50 years old, not having specific
WRULD nor incomplete medical records. Methods: Retrospective cohort study
among computer workers with non-specific WRULD; average follow-up 4 years.
Medical records at time of diagnosis and during treatment period and a
follow-up questionnaire were used. Setting: Outpatient department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University Hospital Maastricht. Outcome measures: Non-specific WRULD (clinical status) and Disabilities of Arm,
Shoulder and Hand (DASH) at follow-up. Results: 103 patients (57%) returned the questionnaire. Of these, 14% developed a chronic pain syndrome,
9% recovered, 77% worsened slightly. None of the selected work- and
treatment-related factors were significantly associated with clinical status.
"Number of working hours per week before diagnosis" was negatively (b=−0.66, p=0.00) and "other therapies during treatment"
(b=8.76, p=0.02) positively associated with DASH. Conclusions: Computer workers with non-specific WRULD have a poor prognosis. Working more hours before diagnosis
seems not predictive for disability while having undergone other therapies
during treatment period does. Prospective cohort studies are recommended to
unravel the associations found.
