Musculoskeletal disorders of the upper and the lumbar region: demographic and occupational characterization, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá 2001- 2009
Abstract
The aim of this study was to characterize demographic and occupational variables of cases of upper limb and lower back musculoskeletal injuries.
Methodology: In a descriptive, cross-sectional study, we searched and reviewed scientific literature to learn about occupational risk factors associated with musculoskeletal injuries of upper limbs, the lower back and to determine relevant variables. The demographic and occupational variables in musculoskeletal injury cases were obtained from records in the database designed by the National Occupational Health Division at Universidad Nacional de Colombia.
Results: We identified 99 records of workers with positive diagnosis of upper limb and lower back musculoskeletal injuries. The female gender and age group between 41 to 50 years reported 60% and 43.43% of the cases of musculoskeletal injuries respectively. The percentage of cases by occupational group for teachers and administrative workers showed a similar distribution of 28.28%. We found that repetitive movements of elbow, wrist, fingers for upper limbs and an extended position for lumbar region are the most common risk factors. In workers, wrist and lower back were the most prominent musculoskeletal injuries. Scoliosis and hyperlordosis were spinal disorders more frequent among participants. The improvement and / or disappearance of symptoms with rest and recurrence or worsening during the work time was the more representative criterion for considering the possible cases of occupational origin of musculoskeletal injuries to upper limbs and lower back.
Conclusion: The knowledge of these variables associated with musculoskeletal injuries allows for preventive interventions.
Downloads
The works published in this magazine are subject to the following terms:
1. The Publications Service of the University of Murcia (the publisher) preserves the copyright of the published works, and encourages and allows the reuse of the works under the license for use stated in point 2.
© Servicio de Publicaciones, Universidad de Murcia, 2011 (© Publications Service, University of Murcia, 2011)
2. The works are published in the electronic edition of the journal under Creative Commons Reconocimiento-NoComercial-SinObraDerivada 3.0 España(texto legal) “ a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 Spain license (legal text)”. They can be copied, used, broadcasted, transmitted and publicly displayed, provided that: i) the authorship and original source of their publication (journal, publisher and URL) are cited; (ii) are not used for commercial purposes; iii) the existence and specifications of this license is mentioned.
3. Conditions of self-archiving. Authors are allowed and encouraged to electronically disseminate the pre-print (pre-reviewed ) and / or post-print (reviewed and accepted for publication) versions of their works prior to publication, as it ensures a wider circulation and dissemination which may lead to a possible increase in its mention and a higher scope among the academic community. RoMEO color: green.