Functional incapacity related to rotator cuff syndrome in workers. Is it influenced by social characteristics and medical management?

Romain Champagne (1) , Julie Bodin (1) , Natacha Fouquet (1) , Yves Roquelaure (2, 1) , Audrey Petit (1)

1 Irset - Institut de recherche en santé, environnement et travail
2 IRSET-ESTER - Épidémiologie en Santé au Travail et Ergonomie

Study design - Survey. Introduction - Rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) is one of the most common musculoskeletal disorders reported in workers. The functional incapacity related to RCS may vary according to the sociodemographic context and to the medical management. Purpose of the study - The purpose of this is to analyze the RCS-related functional incapacity assessed by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaires in workers according to their sociodemographic characteristics and the use of care. Methods - A cross-sectional study was carried out on a French sample of workers diagnosed with RCS. The DASH and DASH-work scores were studied according to the sociodemographic factors, musculoskeletal symptoms, and RCS medical management during the preceding 12 months. Results - Two hundred seven workers who suffered from RCS filled out the questionnaire of which 80% were still working. The DASH score was significantly higher in women (24.0 vs 17.4; P < .01; effect size (d) = 0.39), in patients over the age of 50 years (23.6 vs 11.3; P < .005) and in case of another upper limb musculoskeletal disorder (P < .0001; d ≥ 0.4). The DASH and DASH-work scores were significantly higher in case of use of care for RCS (P < .005; d > 0.6). Discussion - The demographic factors and the RCS medical management influenced the overall incapacity assessed by the DASH questionnaire. Work incapacity was more especially related to the use of care for RCS. Conclusion - The sociodemographic and medical parameters added to other established predictors could help guide clinicians in managing their patients.

Keywords: Functional incapacity; Rotator cuff syndrome; Workers; DASH questionnaire

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Santé publique et épidémiologie

Romain Champagne, Julie Bodin, Natacha Fouquet, Yves Roquelaure, Audrey Petit. Functional incapacity related to rotator cuff syndrome in workers. Is it influenced by social characteristics and medical management?. Journal of Hand Therapy, 2019, 32 (3), pp.322-327. ⟨10.1016/j.jht.2017.10.009⟩. ⟨hal-01881594⟩