TY - JOUR
T1 - Work above shoulder level and degenerative alterations of the rotator cuff tendons
T2 - a magnetic resonance imaging study
AU - Svendsen, Susanne Wulff
AU - Gelineck, John
AU - Mathiassen, S.E.
AU - Bonde, Jens Peter
AU - Frich, L.H.
AU - Stengaard-Pedersen, Kristian
AU - Egund, Niels
PY - 2004
Y1 - 2004
N2 - Objective
To determine whether work performed with the arms in a highly elevated position is associated with alterations in the rotator cuff tendons as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed in a historical cohort of male machinists, car mechanics, and house painters. The participants were right-handed, ages 40–50 years, and had been employed in their trades for not less than 10 years. Seventy-one percent of invited subjects participated (136 of 192). Lifetime upper arm elevation was assessed by direct measurements combined with individual work histories obtained by questionnaire and from registry data. Supraspinatus tendinopathy was evidenced by MRI signal intensity changes and morphologic alterations. Infraspinatus and subscapularis tendinopathy were also assessed. Additional outcomes were acromioclavicular joint degeneration and humeral head cysts. The MRI findings were evaluated by radiologists who were blinded to exposure status and symptoms.
Results
An exposure–response relationship was found between lifetime upper arm elevation and supraspinatus tendinopathy, with an age-adjusted odds ratio of 1.27 (95% confidence interval 1.02–1.60) for a 5-month increase in the total number of full-time working months spent with the arm elevated >90°.
Conclusion
Work with the arms in a highly elevated position is associated with MRI-diagnosed alterations in the supraspinatus tendon. By demonstrating the first part of a possible biologic pathway, the study corroborates the work-relatedness of rotator cuff disorders.
AB - Objective
To determine whether work performed with the arms in a highly elevated position is associated with alterations in the rotator cuff tendons as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Methods
A cross-sectional study was performed in a historical cohort of male machinists, car mechanics, and house painters. The participants were right-handed, ages 40–50 years, and had been employed in their trades for not less than 10 years. Seventy-one percent of invited subjects participated (136 of 192). Lifetime upper arm elevation was assessed by direct measurements combined with individual work histories obtained by questionnaire and from registry data. Supraspinatus tendinopathy was evidenced by MRI signal intensity changes and morphologic alterations. Infraspinatus and subscapularis tendinopathy were also assessed. Additional outcomes were acromioclavicular joint degeneration and humeral head cysts. The MRI findings were evaluated by radiologists who were blinded to exposure status and symptoms.
Results
An exposure–response relationship was found between lifetime upper arm elevation and supraspinatus tendinopathy, with an age-adjusted odds ratio of 1.27 (95% confidence interval 1.02–1.60) for a 5-month increase in the total number of full-time working months spent with the arm elevated >90°.
Conclusion
Work with the arms in a highly elevated position is associated with MRI-diagnosed alterations in the supraspinatus tendon. By demonstrating the first part of a possible biologic pathway, the study corroborates the work-relatedness of rotator cuff disorders.
U2 - 10.1002/art.20495
DO - 10.1002/art.20495
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 15476229
SN - 0004-3591
VL - 50
SP - 3314
EP - 3322
JO - Arthritis & Rheumatism
JF - Arthritis & Rheumatism
IS - 10
ER -