Work related risk factors for neck, shoulder and arms complaints: a cohort study among Dutch computer office workers

This study aims to investigate the relationship between work-related physical and psychosocial characteristics and complaints of the neck, shoulder and forearm/hands.

Data were used from a prospective Dutch cohort study among computer office workers with a follow-up period of 2 years. The study was conducted among 264 computer users. Physical and psychosocial risk factors were tested to predict the occurrence of neck, shoulder and forearm/hands complaints. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to identify the association between risk factors and outcome variables.

The 2 year follow-up prevalence rates with 95% CI for neck complaints were 0.31 (0.28-0.37), for shoulder complaints 0.33 (0.27-0.39) and for forearm/hands complaints 0.21 (0.14-0.28). Four main predictors for the occurrence of neck and shoulder complaints were identified: (1) Irregular head and body posture [OR: 1.1 (1.0-1.2) P = 0.04]; (2) task difficulty (job demands) [OR: 1.2 (1.0-1.5) P = 0.01]; (3) number of working hours/day with the computer [OR: 1.20 (1.0-1.4) P = 0.03]; and (4) having had a previous history of complaints [OR: 7.2 (3.8-13.2) P = 0.01]. Two predictors were identified for forearm/hands complaints: time pressure (job demands) [OR: 1.20 (1.0-1.4) P = 0.03] and having had a previous history of complaints [OR: 7.1 (3.5-14.1) P = 0.06].

This longitudinal study suggests that risk factors of upper musculoskeletal complaints in computer workers consist of a mixture of physical and psychosocial characteristics.