Dataset Information

Baggage handler seniority and musculoskeletal symptoms: is heavy lifting in awkward positions associated with the risk of pain?

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Heavy lifting is associated with musculoskeletal disorders but it is unclear whether it is related to acute reversible effects or to chronic effects from cumulated exposure. The aim of this study was to examine whether musculoskeletal symptoms in Danish airport baggage handlers were associated with their seniority as baggage handler, indicating chronic effects from cumulated workload.

Methods

We established a group of baggage handlers employed at Copenhagen Airport during the period 1983-2012 (n=3092) and a reference group of men in other unskilled occupations with less heavy work (n=2478). Data regarding work history, lifestyle and musculoskeletal symptoms were collected using a self-administered questionnaire (response rate 70.1% among baggage handlers and 68.8% among the reference group).

Results

The ORs of self-reported musculoskeletal symptoms during the last 12 months in the neck/upper back, lower back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips and knees were significantly higher in baggage handlers than in the reference group. These differences were explained by significant linear effects of baggage handler seniority for six anatomical regions. Adjustment for age, body mass index, smoking and leisure-time physical activity did not change these results. The findings were stable over age strata and among present and former baggage handlers.

Conclusions

The risk of musculoskeletal symptoms in six anatomical regions increased with increasing seniority as a baggage handler. This is consistent with the assumption that cumulated heavy lifting may cause chronic or long-lasting musculoskeletal symptoms. However, we cannot exclude that other factors related to baggage handler seniority may explain some of the associations.

SUBMITTER: Bern SH

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3845067 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Baggage handler seniority and musculoskeletal symptoms: is heavy lifting in awkward positions associated with the risk of pain?

Bern Stine Hvid SH Brauer Charlotte C Møller Karina Lauenborg KL Koblauch Henrik H Thygesen Lau Caspar LC Simonsen Erik Bruun EB Alkjær Tine T Bonde Jens Peter JP Mikkelsen Sigurd S

BMJ open 20131129 11

<h4>Objectives</h4>Heavy lifting is associated with musculoskeletal disorders but it is unclear whether it is related to acute reversible effects or to chronic effects from cumulated exposure. The aim of this study was to examine whether musculoskeletal symptoms in Danish airport baggage handlers were associated with their seniority as baggage handler, indicating chronic effects from cumulated workload.<h4>Methods</h4>We established a group of baggage handlers employed at Copenhagen Airport duri ...[more]

PMID: 24293209

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Dataset Information

Baggage handler seniority and musculoskeletal symptoms: is heavy lifting in awkward positions associated with the risk of pain?

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Baggage handler seniority and musculoskeletal symptoms: is heavy lifting in awkward positions associated with the risk of pain?

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