Research Plus

Gender difference in MSD risk?

Musculoskeletal symptom prevalence is generally higher among women than men, but this is not readily explained by increased vulnerability, according to a longitudinal study of nearly 1,800 employees in 34 companies. Musculoskeletal pain, and physical and psychosocial risk factors were assessed and gender ratios calculated to determine differences in the effect of exposures between men and women. Ratios were insignificant for 16 of the 22 risk factors studied, and only bending the neck backwards (risk factor for neck and hand-arm symptoms) and bending the wrist (risk for hand-arm symptoms) were significantly greater in women.

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health 2009; 35(2): 85–95.  http://www.sjweh.fi/show_abstract.php?abstract_id=1316

Tags evidence based practice gender msd - musculoskeletal disorder

Occupational Health at Work June/July 2009 (vol. 06/1) pp42