The effect of hand-arm vibration syndrome on quality of life.

BACKGROUND: It is important to determine how hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS), a common occupational condition, affects quality of life (QOL). AIMS: To measure the physical (SF12-P) and mental (SF12-M) components of QOL in workers with HAVS, using the SF12 questionnaire, and to determine the effect of the vascular, sensorineural and musculoskeletal components of HAVS on QOL. METHODS: Subjects were recruited consecutively from workers with HAVS attending an occupational medicine clinic. They were assessed to determine the Stockholm vascular and sensorineural scale stages as well as an upper extremity pain score, measured by the Borg scale, as an indication of musculoskeletal problems associated with the use of vibrating tools. The SF12-P and SF12-M were both compared with Canadian population normal values after adjusting for age and sex. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the effect of the various HAVS components on SF12-P and SF12-M as well as the effects of age and carpal tunnel syndrome. RESULTS: One hundred and forty-one subjects were recruited and 139 (99%) agreed to participate, including 134 men and 5 women. The SF12-P and SF12-M scores were significantly below the Canadian population mean values (P < 0.001), indicating lower QOL. In the multiple regression analysis, the predictor with the largest partial R (2) value for both the SF12-P and SF12-M was the upper extremity pain score. CONCLUSIONS: Both the physical and the mental QOL in workers with HAVS were below Canadian population normal values and subjects' upper extremity pain score had the greatest effect on their QOL.

DASH work module in workers with hand-arm vibration syndrome.

BACKGROUND: The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand work module (DASH-W) questionnaire has not previously been described in relation to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). AIMS: To measure work-related disability in workers with HAVS using the DASH-W questionnaire and to determine how the various components of HAVS affect the DASH-W score. METHODS: Workers with HAVS from a variety of industries were assessed over a 2-year period at the occupational health clinic, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto. Subjects completed the DASH-W questionnaire and were assessed by an occupational physician to determine their Stockholm sensorineural and vascular stages and upper extremity pain score measured by the Borg scale, as an indication of musculoskeletal problems associated with HAVS. The average DASH-W score was compared with the average value for the US population. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the contribution of the various components of HAVS to the DASH-W score. RESULTS: There were 139 (134 men and 5 women) participants. The subjects with HAVS had a mean DASH-W score of 54.7 (95% CI: 50.3-59.1), which was considerably higher than the average for the US population (P < 0.001). Statistically significant HAVS variables in the multiple linear regression included the Stockholm sensorineural stage (P < 0.05) and the upper extremity pain score (P < 0.001) with the pain score having the highest partial R (2) value. CONCLUSIONS: Workers with HAVS reported significant upper extremity work-related disability as measured by the DASH-W questionnaire, and the upper extremity pain score made the largest contribution to the DASH-W scores in these subjects.