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Table 3 Potential Work Exposure Scale (PWES).

From: Self-reported cold sensitivity in normal subjects and in patients with traumatic hand injuries or hand-arm vibration syndrome

Potential Work Exposure Scale

Normal population n = 49

Traumatic hand injury n = 51

HAVS n = 19

PWES: Total score (0-30)

5 (0-20.1)1

10.2 (0-25)

9.4 (0-21.6)

1. How much of your work requires manipulation

of objects with your hands at temperature near or

below freezing? (0-10)2

1.3 (0-6.4)1

5 (0-10)

5 (0-7.5)

2. At work, how much time are you required to be

working either outside in the cold or in a

refrigerated environment? (0-10)2

2.5 (0-7.5)1

5 (0-10)

5 (0-10)

3. How much do you do with the temperature at or

near freezing when you are not able to wear

gloves or mittens? (0-10)2

0.3 (0-7.5)

0.7 (0-9.3)

1.9 (0-8.7)

  1. Median values (range) for total score and individual questions in different subgroups.
  2. 1 Patients were exposed to cold in their work environment to a significantly higher degree than the normal population (p = 0.013). No significant difference was found between patients with a traumatic hand injury and HAVS.
  3. 2 0 = never, 10 = all the time