The role of personal risk factors in the occurrence of the hand-arm vibration syndrome: a pooled analysis of individual data from Italian cross-sectional and cohort studies.
IF 2.4 3区 医学Q2 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
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引用次数: 0
Abstract
Purpose: To investigate the role of personal risk factors in the occurrence of the vascular, neurological and fibroproliferative disorders of the hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS) in workers groups exposed to hand-transmitted vibration (HTV).
Methods: HAVS prevalence and incidence data were pooled across a series of cross-sectional studies (total sample: 1272 HTV workers, 579 controls) and prospective cohort studies (total sample: 377 HTV workers, 138 controls) conducted in Central and North-Eastern Italy. The pooled studies included detailed individual-level information about HTV exposure, personal risk factors, medical comorbidities and HAVS disorders. Vibration exposures were evaluated according to the recommendations of ISO standards.
Results: The pooled studies revealed dose-response relationships between HTV exposure and the vascular and neurological components of HAVS. Older age, excessive alcohol intake, and comorbid conditions such as metabolic disorders, traumas/surgery to the neck and upper limbs, and disorders of the cervical spine were differentially associated with HAVS outcomes. Higher BMI had a protective effect on vascular disorders. Data modelling showed no significant interactions between HTV exposure and personal risk factors in the occurrence of upper limb disorders.
Conclusions: The pooled analysis of epidemiological studies with individualised work, personal, and medical data confirmed that HTV exposure is a primary occupational risk factor for disorders in the fingers and hands of users of vibratory tools. Ageing and some personal factors connected to lifestyles and comorbidities were associated with an increased risk for upper limb disorders in HTV workers. Occupational and personal risk factors tended to contribute independently of each other to adverse outcomes in operators of hand-held vibrating machinery.
期刊介绍:
International Archives of Occupational and Environmental Health publishes Editorials, Review Articles, Original Articles, and Letters to the Editor. It welcomes any manuscripts dealing with occupational or ambient environmental problems, with a special interest in research at the interface of occupational health and clinical medicine. The scope ranges from Biological Monitoring to Dermatology, from Fibers and Dust to Human Toxicology, from Nanomaterials and Ultra-fine Dust to Night- and Shift Work, from Psycho-mental Distress and Burnout to Vibrations. A complete list of topics can be found on the right-hand side under For authors and editors.
In addition, all papers should be based on present-day standards and relate to:
-Clinical and epidemiological studies on morbidity and mortality
-Clinical epidemiological studies on the parameters relevant to the estimation of health risks
-Human experimental studies on environmental health effects. Animal experiments are only acceptable if relevant to pathogenic aspects.
-Methods for studying the topics mentioned above.