Research Plus

Work-related MSDs

A systematic review that looked only at case–control or cohort studies confirms plausible causal relationships between various reported risk factors and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). Sixty-three papers published between 1997 and 2008 were included, 51 of which were prospective cohort studies. There was reasonable evidence of a causal relationship between the development of workrelated MSDs and high biomechanical and psychosocial demands, smoking, high body mass index and the presence of co-morbidities. Biomechanical risk factors include excessive repetition, awkward postures and heavy lifting.

American Journal of Industrial Medicine 2010; 53: 285–323. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ajim.20750/abstract

Tags evidence based practice msd - musculoskeletal disorder

Occupational Health at Work April/May 2010 (vol. 06/6) pp49