Table 3 Case definition with the highest agreement and work exposures for which consensus was reached - results of Delphi round 1 (N = 63) and Delphi round 2 (N = 56)
Disease/disorder | Delphi Round 1 | Delphi Round 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Number of panellists who rated a case definition ≥5 on a 9-point rating scale (N(%)). | Median (range) | Number of panellists who rated a case definition ≥7 on a 9-point rating scale (N(%)). | Median (range) | ||
Non-specific low back pain | |||||
Case definition | < 3 months of pain, muscle tension or stiffness localized below the costal margin and above the inferior gluteal folds, without leg pain. | 53 (84%) | 7 (1–9) | 38 (68%) | 7 (2–9) |
Work exposure | A. Manual handling of loads. | 61 (97%) | 8 (4–9) | 52 (93%) | 8 (4–9) |
B. Whole-body vibration. | 61 (97%) | 7 (4–9) | 48 (86%) | 8 (4–9) | |
C. Frequently bending and twisting of the trunk. | 61 (97%) | 8 (4–9) | 52 (93%) | 8 (5–9) | |
D. Manual lifting. | 57 (91%) | 8 (3–9) | 52 (93%) | 8 (4–9) | |
Lumbosacral radicular syndrome | |||||
Case definition | A pain with/without functional limitation, lasting less than 4 weeks (1 month), in the posterior region included between the inferior limit of the costal arch and the inferior buttock fold, with posterior irradiation below the knee or anterior to the thigh. Leg pain can be present even without lumbar pain. | 57 (91%) | 7 (2–9) | 39 (70%) | 7 (3–9) |
Work exposure | A. Manual handling of heavy loads. | 61 (97%) | 7 (4–9) | 52 (93%) | 8 (4–9) |
B. Bending or twisting of the trunk. | 58 (92%) | 7 (2–9) | 48 (86%) | 8 (5–9) | |
C. Whole-body vibration. | NA | NA | 42 (75%) | 7 (3–9) | |
D. Manual lifting. | NA | NA | 46 (82%) | 8 (4–9) | |
Subacromial pain syndrome | |||||
Case definition | All signs/symptoms below: 1. Intermittent shoulder pain without paresthesia. 2. Pain worsened by active elevation movement of the upper arm as in scratching of the upper back. 3. Symptoms present now or on at least 4 days during the last 7 days. | 60 (95%) | 7 (4–9) | 38 (68%) | 7 (3–9) |
Work exposure | A. Arm elevation (hand at or above shoulder height). | 62 (98%) | 8 (4–9) | 45 (80%) | 8 (5–9) |
B. Combination of: 1. Arm elevation (hand at or above shoulder height). 2. Repetitive work with hand and/or arm. 3. Daily work with vibrating hand tools. 4. High force of upper extremity. | NA | NA | 51 (91%) | 8 (4–9) | |
Carpal tunnel syndrome | |||||
Case definition | All signs/symptoms below: Intermittent paresthesia or pain in at least 2 of digits I, II or III. Either may be present at night as well (allowing pain in the palm, wrist, or radiation proximal to the wrist). Symptoms present now or on at least 4 days during the last 7 days. | 55 (87%) | 7 (3–9) | 41 (73%) | 7 (4–9) |
Work exposure | A. Repetition (frequency of exertion and duty cycle of exertion) of wrist/hand/fingers. | 61 (97%) | 8 (4–9) | 53 (95%) | 8 (5–9) |
B. Force (peak effort exerted by the hand). | 61 (97%) | 7 (3–9) | 51 (91%) | 8 (4–9) | |
C. Combined exposures (repetition + force). | 60 (95%) | 8 (1–9) | 54 (97%) | 9 (6–9) | |
D. Vibration of the hand/arm. | 60 (95%) | 8 (4–9) | 49 (88%) | 8 (3–9) | |
Lateral elbow tendinopathy | |||||
Case definition | All signs/symptoms below: 1. Intermittent, activity dependent pain directly located around the lateral epicondyle. 2. Symptoms present now or on at least 4 days during the last 7 days. 3. Local pain on resisted wrist extension (lateral). 4. Pain exacerbated when holding a coffee cup. | NA | NA | 40 (71%) | 7 (2–9) |
Work exposure | Combination of turn and screw | 61 (97%) | 7 (3–9) | 48 (86%) | 8 (5–9) |
Repetitive bending and twisting of the elbow | 60 (95%) | 7 (3–9) | 49 (88%) | 8 (3–9) | |
High physical exertion combined with elbow movements | 57 (91%) | 7 (3–9) | 45 (80%) | 8 (4–9) | |
High physical exertion of the wrist combined with elbow movements. | NA | NA | 42 (75%) | 7 (2–9) | |
Medial elbow tendinopathy | |||||
Case definition | All signs/symptoms below: 1. Intermittent, activity dependent pain directly located around the medial epicondyle. 2. Symptoms present now or on at least 4 days during the last 7 days 3. Local pain on resisted wrist flexion (medial). 4. Tenderness on direct pressure. | NA | NA | 42 (75%) | 7.5 (2–9) |
Work exposure | A. High hand grip forces | 59 (94%) | 7 (4–9) | 45 (80%) | 8 (4–9) |
B. Repetitive movements | 61 (97%) | 7 (4–9) | 42 (75%) | 7 (1–9) | |
A. A combination of: 1.Handling loads 2.High hand grip forces 3.Repetitive movements 4. Working with vibrating hand tools | NA | NA | 42 (75%) | 8 (3–9) | |
Knee osteoarthritis | |||||
Case definition | Pain in the knee and at least three of the six symptoms assessed by physical examination /signs/personal factors: 1. Age ≥ 50 years 2. Stiffness < 30 min. 3. Crepitus. 4. Pain at palpation knee bone. 5. Bone deformation (X-ray). 6. No palpable warmth. | NA | NA | 35 (63%) | 7 (1–9) |
Work exposure | A. Kneeling and/or squatting | 62 (98%) | 8 (3–9) | 52 (93%) | 8 (4–9) |
B. Jumping | 60 (95%) | 7 (3–9) | 48 (86%) | 8 (4–9) | |
C. Climbing the stairs/ladder | 58 (92%) | 7 (1–9) | 48 (86%) | 8 (5–9) | |
D. Heavy Lifting | NA | NA | 44 (79%) | 8 (4–9) | |
Hip osteoarthritis | |||||
Case definition | Combination of: 1. Pain distal thigh or even medial knee region. 2. Limited range of motion. 3. Disability. 4. Morning stiffness < 1 h. 5. Degeneration (X-ray) | NA | NA | 36 (64%) | 7 (2–9) |
Work exposure | A. Heavy lifting | 58 (92%) | 7 (2–9) | 46 (82%) | 8 (1–9) |