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Table 1 Qualitative overview of prevalence of WMSDs in secondary industries of Europe

From: Prevalence and incidence of work-related musculoskeletal disorders in secondary industries of 21st century Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Author, year,

study design,

industry & country

Period of measurement

Demographic characteristics

Examination method & response rate

Tools for examination

WMSD & Prevalence

Aasmoe et al. 2008 [20]

Cross-sectional

Seafood industry - Norway

December 2000

Prevalence Period:

12 months

T = 744

F = 85 (21%); < 30 years

F = 97 (24%); 30–39 years

F = 109 (27%); 40–49 years

F = 113 (28%); > 50 years

M = 119 (35%); < 30 years

M = 85 (25%); 30–39 years

M = 71 (21%); 40–49 years

M = 64 (19%); > 50 years

Self-report

50% of the administrative and production workers

Self-Administered Questionnaire (anonymous): “Have you had any of these symptoms during the last 12 months?”

Neck/Shoulder F = 89%; whitefish

Neck/Shoulder F = 88%; shrimp

Neck/Shoulder F = 86%; salmon

Wrist/Hand F = 62%; whitefish

Wrist/Hand F = 66%; shrimp

Wrist/Hand F = 82%; salmon

Elbow F = 30%; whitefish

Elbow F = 38%; shrimp

Elbow F = 42%; salmon

Back F = 74%; whitefish

Back F = 74%; shrimp

Back F = 65%; salmon

Leg F = 63%; whitefish

Leg F = 58%; shrimp

Leg F = 61%; salmon

Neck/Shoulder M = 71%; whitefish

Neck/Shoulder M = 85%; shrimp

Neck/Shoulder M = 71%; salmon

Wrist/Hand M = 47%; whitefish

Wrist/Hand M = 37%; shrimp

Wrist/Hand M = 64%; salmon

Elbow M = 25%; whitefish

Elbow M = 18%; shrimp

Elbow M = 24%; salmon

Back M = 74%; whitefish

Back M = 71%; shrimp

Back M = 67%; salmon

Leg M = 50%; whitefish

Leg M = 48%; shrimp

Leg M = 50%; salmon

Afonso et al. 2014 [21]

Cross-sectional

Footwear industry - Portugal

January 2013

Prevalence Period:

12 months

F = 66; 22–55 years

Self-report

52.3%

Questionnaire based on 3 validated questionnaires:

1) Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire translated in Portuguese

2) Extended version of the Dutch Musculoskeletal Questionnaire

3) Medium size version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire

Neck T = 32% (n = 21)

Shoulder T = 23% (n = 15)

Elbow T = 21% (n = 14)

Wrist/Hand T = 42% (n = 18)

Thoracic region T = 6% (n = 4)

Lumbar region T = 30% (n = 20)

Hip/Thigh T = 9% (n = 6)

Knee T = 21% (n = 14)

Ankle/Foot T = 15% (n = 10)

Alexopoulos et al. 2006 [22]

Cross-sectional

Shipyard industry - Greece

November 2003–March 2004

Prevalence Period:

12 months

Blue collar workers = 624; ȳ = 38.7 years

Self-report

98.5% of the white and blue collar workers

Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire translated into Greek

Lower Back = 33%; metal workers

Lower Back = 39.8%; welders

Lower Back = 37.9%; other blue collar workers

Shoulder/Neck = 14.6%; metal workers

Shoulder/Neck = 18.3%; welders

Shoulder/Neck = 25.2%; other blue collar workers

Hand/Wrist = 15.3%; metal workers

Hand/Wrist = 10.8%; welders

Hand/Wrist = 13.4%; other blue collar workers

Andersen et al. 2007 [23]

Cohort

Production industry - Denmark

2-year period

Prevalence Period:

12 months

T = 141; skilled workers

T = 1874; unskilled workers

Self-report

75%; skilled workers baseline

67%; unskilled workers baseline

79%; skilled workers 24-month follow-up

76%; unskilled workers 24-month follow-up

Self-Administered Questionnaire for regional pain status: “How much have you been bothered by pain during the past 12 months?”

Neck/Shoulder T = 22%; skilled workers baseline

Elbow/Forearm/Hand T = 17%; skilled workers baseline

Lower Back T = 17%; skilled workers baseline

Hip/Knee/Foot T = 12%; skilled workers baseline

Neck/Shoulder T = 38%; unskilled workers baseline

Elbow/Forearm/Hand T = 22%; unskilled workers baseline

Lower Back T = 25%; unskilled workers baseline

Hip/Knee/Foot T = 22%; unskilled workers baseline

Neck/Shoulder T = 16%; skilled workers 24-month follow-up

Elbow/Forearm/Hand T = 8%; skilled workers 24-month follow-up

Lower Back T = 19%; skilled workers 24-month follow-up

Hip/Knee/Foot T = 17%; skilled workers 24-month follow-up

Neck/Shoulder T = 32%; unskilled workers 24-month follow-up

Elbow/Forearm/Hand T = 21%; unskilled workers 24-month follow-up

Lower Back T = 27%; unskilled workers 24-month follow-up

Hip/Knee/Foot T = 24%; unskilled workers 24-month follow-up

Bang et al. 2005 [24]

Cross-sectional

Seafood industry – Norway

2001

Prevalence Period:

12 months

T = 1588; m = 39 years

F = 889 (56%)

M = 699 (44%)

Self-report

49.8% of the industrial and administrative workers

Not further specified questionnaire. Question “Have you, during the last 12 months, felt pain from the neck/shoulders, elbow, wrists/hands, back and legs?”

Neck/Shoulder T = 65.3%

Elbow T = 15.3%

Wrist/Hand T = 39.7%

Back T = 56.1%

Leg T = 39.4%

Bonfiglioli et al. 2006 [25]

Cross-sectional

Electronic industry - Italy

Not mentioned

Prevalence Period:

Point prevalence

F = 19

M = 32

ȳ = 36.3 years

Clinician and experienced electrodiagnostic tester

85%

Bilateral median nerve conduction study

Physical examination

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome T = 43%

Claus et al. 2019 [26]

Cross-sectional

Chemical industry - Germany

January 2011–December 2014

Prevalence Period:

1) 12 months

2) 7 days

T = 1165 (20.9%); < 35 years

T = 634 (11.4%); 35–39 years

T = 930 (16.7%); 40–44 years

T = 1078 (19.4%); 45–49 years

T = 1100 (19.8%); 50–54 years

T = 664 (11.9%); > 55 years

F = 254 (4.6%)

M = 5317 (95.4%)

ȳ = 43.1 years

Self-report Occupational physicians

Not mentioned

Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (modified)

Physical examination

Back T = 66.4%; 12-month prevalence

Back T = 26.3%; 7-day prevalence

De Zwart et al. 2001 [27]

Cross-sectional

Textile, food, metal, electronic, and production industry - The Netherlands

1982–1993

Prevalence Period:

Point prevalence

F = 80 (30.5%); Textile industry

F = 182 (16.0%); Food and beverage industry

F = 61 (11.6%); Assemblers of metal products

F = 52 (17.0%); Assemblers of electrical products

F = 58 (17.4%); Production and related workers NEC

M = 182 (69.5%); Textile industry

M = 958 (84%); Food and beverage industry

M = 463 (88.4%); Assemblers of metal products

M = 254 (83.0%); Assemblers of electrical products

M = 276 (82.6%); Production and related workers NEC

Self-report Regional occupational health service

70–90%

Self-Administered Questionnaire

Physical examination

Neck F = 20.0%; Textile industry

Neck F = 23.6%; Food and beverage industry

Neck F = 16.4%; Assemblers of metal products

Neck F = 30.8%; Assemblers of electrical products

Neck F = 5.5%; Production and related workers NEC

Shoulder F = 12.5%; Textile industry

Shoulder F = 34.1%; Food and beverage industry

Shoulder F = 18.0%; Assemblers of metal products

Shoulder F = 23.1%; Assemblers of electrical products

Shoulder F = 15.5%; Production and related workers NEC

Elbow F = 3.8%; Textile industry

Elbow F = 3.8%; Food and beverage industry

Elbow F = 1.6%; Assemblers of metal products

Elbow F = 7.7%; Assemblers of electrical products

Elbow F = 1.7%; Production and related workers NEC

Wrist F = 1.3%; Textile industry

Wrist F = 13.7%; Food and beverage industry

Wrist F = 4.9%; Assemblers of metal products

Wrist F = 11.5%; Assemblers of electrical products

Wrist F = 0%; Production and related workers NEC

Neck M = 13.2%; Textile industry

Neck M = 10.6%; Food and beverage industry

Neck M = 8.6%; Assemblers of metal products

Neck M = 1.8%; Assemblers of electrical products

Neck M = 11.2%; Production and related workers NEC

Shoulder M = 10.4%; Textile industry

Shoulder M = 17.2%; Food and beverage industry

Shoulder M = 12.5%; Assemblers of metal products

Shoulder M = 13.0%; Assemblers of electrical products

Shoulder M = 12.7%; Production and related workers NEC

Elbow M = 4.4%; Textile industry

Elbow M = 4.4%; Food and beverage industry

Elbow M = 6.5%; Assemblers of metal products

Elbow M = 5.5%; Assemblers of electrical products

Elbow M = 3.6%; Production and related workers NEC

Wrist M = 5.5%; Textile industry

Wrist M = 4.4%; Food and beverage industry

Wrist M = 4.3%; Assemblers of metal products

Wrist M = 3.9%; Assemblers of electrical products

Wrist M = 5.4%; Production and related workers NEC

Descatha et al. 2003 [28]

Cohort

Assembly, textile, food, and packaging industry – France

1993–1994

Prevalence Period:

12 months

T = 479; Assembly industry

T = 262; Textile industry

T = 307; Food industry

T = 160; Packaging industry

Self-report Occupational physicians

Not mentioned

Self-Administered Questionnaire

Physical examination

Medial epicondylitis

T = 5.2%; Assembly industry

T = 2.7%; Textile industry

T = 5.2%; Food industry

T = 2.5%; Packaging industry

Fouquet et al. 2015 [29]

Cross-sectional

Agriculture and food, automotive manufacturing, and energy industry - France

2002–2005

Prevalence Period:

7 days

Not mentioned

Occupational physicians

18% of the occupational physicians (all industries)

Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire

Thoracic spine

F = 15.0% (n = 113); Agricultural and food industry

F = 19.8% (n = 116); Automotive manufacturing industry

F = 0% (n = 0); Energy

M = 10.4% (n = 182); Agricultural and food industry

M = 19.4% (n = 62); Automotive manufacturing industry

M = 8.3% (n = 12); Energy industry

Ha et al. 2009 [51]

Cross-sectional

Food and drink, garment, shoe and leather, manufacture of wood and wood products, manufacture of pulp, paper and paper products, publishing, printing and reproduction of recorded media, chemical, manufacture of rubber and plastic products, manufacture of other non-metallic mineral products, manufacture of basic metals, manufacture of fabricated metal products, manufacture of machinery and equipment not elsewhere classified, manufacture of electrical and optical equipment, manufacture of motor vehicles, manufacture of other transport equipment, manufacture of furniture and wood, recycling industry - France

April 2002–April 2005

Prevalence Period:

12 months

F = 113; Food and drink industry

F = 12; Garment industry

F = 28; Shoe and leather industry

F = 6; Manufacture of wood and wood products

F = 12; Pulp, paper and paper products manufacturing

F = 9; Publishing, printing, reproduction of recorded media

F = 2; Chemical industry

F = 45; Manufacture of rubber and plastic products

F = 2; Non-metallic mineral products manufacturing

F = 6; Manufacture of basic metals

F = 11; Manufacture of fabricated metal products

F = 26; Manufacture of electrical and optical equipment NEC

F = 69; Manufacture of electrical and optical equipment

F = 2; Manufacture of motor vehicles

F = 2; Manufacture of other transport equipment

F = 45; Manufacture of furniture and wood industries

F = 0; Recycling

M = 182; Food and drink industry

M = 1; Garment industry

M = 8; Shoe and leather industry

M = 24; Manufacture of wood and wood products

M = 52; Pulp, paper and paper products manufacture

M = 17; Publishing, printing, reproduction of recorded media

M = 8; Chemical industry

M = 84; Manufacture of rubber and plastic products

M = 22; Non-metallic mineral products manufacturing

M = 23; Manufacture of basic metals

M = 91; Manufacture of fabricated metal products

M = 89; Manufacture of electrical and optical equipment NEC

M = 89; Manufacture of electrical and optical equipment

M = 63; Manufacture of motor vehicles

M = 91; Manufacture of other transport equipment

M = 57; Manufacture of furniture and wood industries

M = 7; Recycling

Neurologists

Occupational physicians

17.4% of the occupational physicians

Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire

Physical examination according the “criteria document” (if symptoms

had occurred during the last 12 months)

Upper limb musculoskeletal disorder

F = 13.3%; Food and drink industry

F = 33.3%; Garment industry

F = 10.7%; Shoe and leather industry

F = 50.0%; Manufacture of wood and wood products

F = 33.3%; Pulp, paper and paper products manufacturing

F = 11.1%; Publishing, printing and reproduction of recorded media

F = 50.0%; Chemical industry

F = 33.3%; Manufacture of rubber and plastic products

F = 0.0%; Manufacture of non-metallic mineral products

F = 50.0%; Manufacture of basic metals

F = 18.2%; Manufacture of fabricated metal products

F = 23.1%; Manufacture of electrical and optical equipment NEC

F = 14.5%; Manufacture of electrical and optical equipment

F = 0.0%; Manufacture of motor vehicles

F = 50.0%; Manufacture of other transport equipment

F = 17.8%; Manufacture of furniture and wood industries

F = 0%; Recycling

M = 12.1%; Food and drink industry

M = 0%; Garment industry

M = 0%; Shoe and leather industry

M = 12.5%; Manufacture of wood and wood products

M = 11.5%; Manufacture of pulp, paper and paper products

M = 5.9%; Publishing, printing and reproduction of recorded media

M = 0.0%; Chemical industry

M = 14.3%; Manufacture of rubber and plastic products

M = 4.6%; Non-metallic mineral products manufacturing

M = 8.7%; Manufacture of basic metals

M = 18.7%; Manufacture of fabricated metal products

M = 14.6%; Manufacture of electrical and optical equipment NEC

M = 15.7%; Manufacture of electrical and optical equipment

M = 25.4%; Manufacture of motor vehicles

M = 11.1%; Manufacture of other transport equipment

M = 10.5%; Manufacture of furniture and wood industries

M = 0%; Recycling

Harkness et al. 2003 [30]

Cohort

Shipyard industry - UK

Not mentioned

Prevalence Period:

1 month

T = 82; 12-month follow-up

T = 67; 24-month follow-up

Self-report

86%; 12-month follow-up

92%; 24-month follow-up

Questionnaire for pain involving one question: “Thinking back over the past month, have you had any ache or pain which lasted for one day or longer?’ If so, indicate the site of this pain on a line drawing of the body.”

Shoulder T = 11% (n = 9); 12-month follow-up

Shoulder T = 19% (n = 13); 24-month follow-up

Hussain 2004 [31]

Cross-sectiona

Transport industry - UK

Not mentioned

Prevalence Period:

12 months

T = 323; ȳ = 36.5 years

Self-report

70%

Modified version of the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire

Neck T = 60% (n = 194)

Shoulder T = 57% (n = 184)

Upper Back T = 17% (n = 55)

Elbow T = 20% (n = 65)

Lower Back T = 65% (n = 211)

Wrist/Hand T = 46% (n = 149)

Hip T = 8% (n = 26)

Knee T = 39% (n = 126)

Ankle/Foot T = 13% (n = 42)

Isolani et al. 2002 [32]

Cross-sectional

Food industry - Italy

March–May 1998

Prevalence Period:

Point prevalence

T = 114; ȳ = 38.0 years

F = 21 (18%); 22–61 years

M = 93 (82%); 22–61 years

Trained physicians

71%

Interview

Physical examination

Median NCSs

Carpal tunnel syndrome T = 53% (n = 60)

Kaergaard and Andersen 2000 [33]

Cohort

Textile industry - Denmark

1994–1997

Prevalence Period:

Point prevalence

F = 243; ȳ = 38.3 years

Self-report

Trained physicians who were blinded to the answers from the questionnaire

94%; baseline

55%; follow-up

Questionnaire about current musculoskeletal complaints

Physical examination (neck and arms)

Neck/Shoulder T = 77.6%; baseline

Myofascial pain syndrome T = 15.2%; baseline

Rotator cuff tendinitis T = 5.8%; baseline

Le Manac’h et al. 2012 [34]

Cross-sectional

Food, metal, electronic industry – France

April 2002–April 2005

Prevalence Period:

12 months

T = 295; Food industry

T = 102; Metal industry

T = 115; Electronic industry

ȳ = 38.7 years

Self-report

Occupational physicians

93% of all workers

Nordic Auto-Questionnaire

Physical examination, if indicated

Knee bursitis T = 1.4% (n = 4); Food industry

Knee bursitis T = 2.0% (n = 2); Metal industry

Knee bursitis T = 0.9% (n = 1); Electronic industry

Leclerc et al. 2001 [52]

Cohort

Electrical, textile, food, and packaging industry - France

1993–1994

1996–1997

Prevalence Period:

Point prevalence

T = 247; Electrical industry

T = 63; Textile industry

T = 143; Food industry

T = 103; Packaging

Self-report

Occupational physicians

42.11%

Self-Administered Questionnaire

Physical examination

Carpal tunnel syndrome T = 21.9% (n = 54); Electronic industry

Carpal tunnel syndrome T = 27.0% (n = 17); Textile industry

Carpal tunnel syndrome T = 13.3% (n = 19); Food industry

Carpal tunnel syndrome T = 31.1% (n = 32); Packaging

Lateral epicondylitis T = 20.2% (n = 50); Electronical industry

Lateral epicondylitis T = 4.8% (n = 3); Textile industry

Lateral epicondylitis T = 7.0% (n = 10); Food industry

Lateral epicondylitis T = 7.8% (n = 8); Packaging

Wrist tendinitis T = 8.5 (n = 21); Electronical industry

Wrist tendinitis T = 3.2% (n = 2); Textile industry

Wrist tendinitis T = 21.0% (n = 30); Food industry

Wrist tendinitis T = 10.7% (n = 11); Packaging

Lima et al. 2019 [35]

Cross-sectional

Food industry - Portugal

May 2016

Prevalence Period:

12 months

T = 20 (27%); 24–33 years

T = 21 (28%); 34–44 years

T = 17 (23%); 44–52 years

T = 16 (22%); 54–63 years

F = 53 (71.6%)

M = 21 (28.4%)

ȳ = 41.9 years

Self-report

35.23%

Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire

Neck T = 15% (n = 3); 24–33 years

Neck T = 29% (n = 6); 34–44 years

Neck T = 65% (n = 11); 44–53 years

Neck T = 63% (n = 10); 54–63 years

Lower Back T = 35% (n = 7); 24–33 years

Lower Back T = 19% (n = 4); 34–44 years

Lower Back T = 35% (n = 6); 44–53 years

Lower Back T = 69% (n = 11); 54–63 years

Right Shoulder T = 30% (n = 6); 24–33 years

Right Shoulder T = 24% (n = 5); 34–44 years

Right Shoulder T = 53% (n = 9); 44–53 years

Right Shoulder T = 38% (n = 6); 54–63 years

Nordander et al. 2008 [36]

Cross-sectional

Manufacturing industry and mechanical assembly industry - Sweden

Not mentioned

Prevalence Period:

7 days

F = 172; ȳ = 42.0 years

M = 105; ȳ = 36.0 years

Examiners not specified

Not mentioned

Questionnaire-based interview

Physical examination (modified scheme by Ohlsson et al.)

Neck/Shoulder F = 61% (n = 104)

Elbow/Hand F = 55% (n = 95)

Lower Back F = 30% (n = 52)

Knee/Foot F = 41% (n = 70)

Tension neck syndrome F = 20% (n = 34)

Cervicalgia F = 6% (n = 11)

Shoulder tendinitis F = 16% (n = 27)

Acromioclavicular syndrome F = 12% (n = 20)

Epicondylitis F = 6% (n = 11)

Pronator teres syndrome F = 2% (n = 3)

Radial tunnel syndrome F = 1% (n = 1)

Carpal tunnel syndrome F = 8% (n = 13)

Overused hand syndrome F = 2% (n = 3)

Peritendinitis/Tenosynovitis F = 7% (n = 12)

De Quervain’s disease F = 1% (n = 2)

Neck/Shoulder M = 36% (n = 38)

Elbow/Hand M = 34% (n = 36)

Lower Back M = 27% (n = 28)

Knee/Foot M = 32% (n = 34)

Tension neck syndrome M = 12% (n = 13)

Cervicalgia M = 3% (n = 3)

Shoulder tendinitis M = 6% (n = 6)

Acromioclavicular syndrome M = 7% (n = 7)

Epicondylitis M = 3% (n = 3)

Pronator teres syndrome M = 0% (n = 0)

Radial tunnel syndrome M = 0% (n = 0)

Carpal tunnel syndrome M = 2% (n = 2)

Overused hand syndrome M = 0% (n = 0)

Peritendinitis/Tenosynovitis M = 3% (n = 3)

De Quervain’s disease M = 0% (n = 0)

Ólafsdóttir and Rafnsson 2000 [37]

Cross-sectional

Fish industry - Iceland

Not mentioned

Prevalence Period:

1) 12 months

2) 7 days

T = 254

F = 49 (19%); 16–19 years

F = 80 (32%); 20–29 years

F = 125 (49%); 30–54 years

Self-report

71%

Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire

Neck = 69%; 12-month prevalence

Shoulder = 78%; 12-month prevalence

Elbow = 17%; 12-month prevalence

Wrist = 47%; 12-month prevalence

Upper Back = 37%; 12-month prevalence

Lower Back = 68%; 12-month prevalence

Hip = 22%; 12-month prevalence

Knee = 28%; 12-month prevalence

Ankle = 24%; 12-month prevalence

Head = 56%; 12-month prevalence

Fingers = 31%; 12-month prevalence

Neck = 44%; 7-day prevalence

Shoulder = 47%; 7-day prevalence

Elbow = 9%; 7-day prevalence

Wrist = 26%; 7-day prevalence

Upper Back = 18%; 7-day prevalence

Lower Back = 39%; 7-day prevalence

Hip = 16%; 7-day prevalence

Knee = 15%; 7-day prevalence

Ankle = 15%; 7-day prevalence

Head = 39%; 7-day prevalence

Fingers = 19%; 7-day prevalence

Pope et al. 2001 [38]

Cross-sectional

Packaging industry - UK

Not mentioned

Prevalence Period:

1 month

T = 203

Self-report

83% of all workers

Manikin and Shoulder Disability Questionnaire

Shoulder T = 27% (n = 55)

Ricco and Signorelli 2017 [53]

Cross-sectional

Meat industry - Italy

January 2012

December 2013

Prevalence Period:

Point prevalence

T = 434; ȳ = 37.0 years

F = 198 (45.6%)

M = 236 (54.4%)

Trained clinician

91.8%

Full medical assessment

Ultrasonography and/or NCS in clinically possible cases

Carpal tunnel syndrome F = 17.2% (n = 34)

Carpal tunnel syndrome M = 11.4% (n = 27)

Roquelaure et al. 2002 [54]

Cohort

Shoe industry - France

1996–1997

Prevalence Period:

12 months

Year 1996:

T = 253; ȳ = 40.2 years

F = 158 (62%)

M = 95 (38%)

Year 1997:

T = 191; ȳ = 41.1 years

F = 117 (61%)

M = 74 (39%)

Occupational physicians

90%

Interview

Physical examination

Tension neck syndrome T = 7.5% (n = 19); 1996

Rotator cuff syndrome = 7.9% (n = 20); 1996

Medial epicondylitis T = 0% (n = 0); 1996

Lateral epicondylitis T = 2.0% (n = 5); 1996

Cubital tunnel syndrome T = 5.2% (n = 10); 1996

Radial tunnel syndrome T = 0.4% (n = 1); 1996

Carpal tunnel syndrome T = 18.2% (n = 46); 1996

Guyon’s canal syndrome T = 0.4% (n = 1); 1996

Hand/Wrist tendinitis T = 2.4% (n = 6); 1996

Tension neck syndrome T = 4.2% (n = 8); 1997

Rotator cuff syndrome T = 9.5% (n = 18); 1997

Medial epicondylitis T = 0.5% (n = 1); 1997

Lateral epicondylitis T = 3.1% (n = 6); 1997

Cubital tunnel syndrome T = 4.2% (n = 8); 1997

Radial tunnel syndrome T = 1.0% (n = 2); 1997

Carpal tunnel syndrome T = 22.0% (n = 42); 1997

Guyon’s canal syndrome T = 0.5% (n = 1); 1997

Hand/Wrist tendinitis T = 3.1% (n = 6); 1997

Roquelaure et al. 2006 [39]

Cross-sectional

Food, textile, wood, paper, chemical, steel, machine and equipment, computer, automotive, furniture and wood industry - France

April to September 2002

May to October 2003

Prevalence Period:

Not specified

F = 69; Food industry

F = 31; Textile industry

F = 5; Wood industry

F = 20; Paper industry

F = 39; Chemical industry

F = 9; Steel industry

F = 22; Machine and equipment industry

F = 32; Computer industry

F = 3; Automotive industry

F = 43; Furniture industry

F = 112; Food industry

F = 112; Textile industry

F = 23; Wood industry

F = 55; Paper industry

F = 74, Chemical industry

F = 81; Steel industry

F = 72; Machine and equipment industry

F = 51; Computer industry

F = 40; Automotive industry

F = 50; Furniture industry

Occupational physicians

17.4% of the Sentinal network occupational physicians

Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire

VAS

If symptoms occurred during the past 12 months: physical examination based on the criteria document for the evaluation of work-related upper-limb MSDs

Upper extremity disorders

F = 15.9% (n = 11); Food industry

F = 19.4% (n = 6); Textile industry

F = / (n = 2); Wood industry

F = 25.0% (n = 5); Paper industry

F = 35.9% (n = 14); Chemical industry

F = 33.3% (n = 3); Steel industry

F = 27.3% (n = 6); Machine and equipment industry

F = 12.5% (n = 4); Computer industry

F = / (n = 1); Automotive industry

F = 20.9% (n = 9); Furniture industry

M = 12.5% (n = 14); Food industry

M = 0% (n = 0); Textile industry

M = 13% (n = 3); Wood industry

M = 10.9% (n = 6); Paper industry

M = 12.2% (n = 9); Chemical industry

M = 14.8% (n = 12); Steel industry

M = 12.5% (n = 9); Machine and equipment industry

M = 7.8% (n = 4); Computer industry

M = 20% (n = 8); Automotive industry

M = 20.0% (n = 5); Furniture industry

Sormunen et al. 2009 [40]

Cross-sectional

Meat and dairy industry - Finland

1997

Prevalence Period:

12 months

T = 117

F = 46%; ȳ = 35.0 years

M = 54%; ȳ = 33.0 years

Self-report

85%

Questionnaire

Neck/Shoulder F = 89% (n = 424); 18–64 years

Neck/Shoulder F = 90% (n = 275); 18–39 years

Neck/Shoulder F = 86% (n = 149); 49–64 years

Shoulder F = 65% (n = 291); 18–64 years

Shoulder F = 60% (n = 178); 18–39 years

Shoulder F = 75% (n = 113); 49–64 years

Lower Back F = 68% (n = 303); 18–64 years

Lower Back F = 65% (n = 193); 18–39 years

Lower Back F = 73% (n = 109); 49–64 years

Wrist F = 71% (n = 318); 18–64 years

Wrist F = 70% (n = 213); 18–39 years

Wrist F = 72% (n = 105); 49–64 years

Neck/Shoulder M = 78% (n = 432); 18–64 years

Neck/Shoulder M = 75% (n = 318); 18–39 years

Neck/Shoulder M = 87% (n = 113); 49–64 years

Shoulder M = 57% (n = 305); 18–64 years

Shoulder M = 50% (n = 204); 18–39 years

Shoulder M = 82% (n = 99); 49–64 years

Lower Back M = 64% (n = 347); 18–64 years

Lower Back M = 60% (n = 253); 18–39 years

Lower Back M = 75% (n = 92); 49–64 years

Wrist M = 58% (n = 311); 18–64 years

Wrist M = 57% (n = 237); 18–39 years

Wrist M = 63% (n = 74); 49–64 years

Sundstrup et al. 2014 [41]

Cross-sectional

Meat industry - Denmark

Not mentioned

Prevalence Period:

3 months

T = 595; ȳ = 44.0 years

F = 11%

M = 89%

Self-report

92%

Questionnaire: 0–10 modified VAS scale for neck, shoulder, elbow, and hand/wrist regions defined by drawings from the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire.

Neck T = 48%

Shoulder T = 60%

Elbow T = 40%

Hand/Wrist T = 52%

Wixted et al. 2018 [42]

Cross-sectiona

Manufacturing industry - Ireland

Not mentioned

Prevalence Period:

12 months

T = 47 (20%); 21–30 years

T = 97 (41.3%); 31–40 years

T = (27.7%); 41–50 years

T = (11.1%); 51–60 years

F = 47 (20%)

M = 188 (80%)

Self-report

80%

Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (Amended)

Neck T = 41% (n = 96)

Shoulder T = 46% (n = 108)

Upper back T = 28% (n = 66)

Lower back T = 57% (n = 134)

Weyh et al. 2020 [43]

Cross-sectional

Steel industry - Germany

July 2016

to May 2017

Prevalence Period:

12 months

T = 145; ȳ = 35.8 years

F = 2 (1%)

M = 143 (99%)

Self-report

Not mentioned

Modified version of the Nordic

Musculoskeletal Questionnaire

Neck T = 61%

Shoulder T = 55%

Elbow T = 32%

Forearm T = 32%

Upper back T = 36%

Lower back T = 71%

Hip = 9%

Knee = 44%

Lower leg = 16%

  1. NEC Not elsewhere classified, T Total, M Male, F Female, m Median age, ȳ Mean age