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The clinical consequence of using less than four sensory perception examination methods in the Swedish surveillance system for Hand-Arm vibration syndrome

Antonson, Carl LU ; Thorsén, Frida LU and Nordander, Catarina LU orcid (2022) In Journal of Occupational Health 64(1). p.12343-12343
Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The Swedish surveillance system aiming to reveal undetected Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) in workers exposed for vibrations is regulated by the provision AFS 2019:3. The goal for the surveillance system is to diagnose HAVS, as well as to find workers at risk for developing HAVS due to other conditions. The national guidelines stipulate examination using at least two out of four hand sensory examination methods (SEM); monofilament (touch), two-point discrimination (discriminative), tuning fork (vibrotactile), and Rolltemp (thermotactile). The aim of this study was to examine the clinical consequence of using less than four of these SEMs. METHODS: We collected data on SEMs from the medical records of all individuals that... (More)

OBJECTIVES: The Swedish surveillance system aiming to reveal undetected Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) in workers exposed for vibrations is regulated by the provision AFS 2019:3. The goal for the surveillance system is to diagnose HAVS, as well as to find workers at risk for developing HAVS due to other conditions. The national guidelines stipulate examination using at least two out of four hand sensory examination methods (SEM); monofilament (touch), two-point discrimination (discriminative), tuning fork (vibrotactile), and Rolltemp (thermotactile). The aim of this study was to examine the clinical consequence of using less than four of these SEMs. METHODS: We collected data on SEMs from the medical records of all individuals that went through the specific surveillance medical check-up in a large occupational health service for 1 year. We then calculated the number of workers found with HAVS when using one, two, or three SEMs, and compared with the result from using all available SEMs. RESULTS: Out of 677 examined individuals, 199 had positive findings in at least one SEM. The detection rate for these findings was on average 47% when using one SEM, 71% using two SEMs, and 88% using three SEMs (out of 100% detection when all four SEMs were used). CONCLUSIONS: If fewer than four sensory examination methods are used for surveillance of HAVS, many workers with incipient injuries may stay undetected. This may lead to further exposure resulting in aggravation of injury.

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author
; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
hand-arm vibration syndrome, hazard surveillance system, neurologic examination, occupational health, sensory Function
in
Journal of Occupational Health
volume
64
issue
1
pages
12343 - 12343
publisher
Japan Society for Occupational Health
external identifiers
  • scopus:85133239489
  • pmid:35789516
ISSN
1348-9585
DOI
10.1002/1348-9585.12343
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
049c858b-da75-4814-a9d3-7dea688cbfa4
date added to LUP
2022-09-05 10:48:50
date last changed
2024-06-13 18:44:43
@article{049c858b-da75-4814-a9d3-7dea688cbfa4,
  abstract     = {{<p>OBJECTIVES: The Swedish surveillance system aiming to reveal undetected Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS) in workers exposed for vibrations is regulated by the provision AFS 2019:3. The goal for the surveillance system is to diagnose HAVS, as well as to find workers at risk for developing HAVS due to other conditions. The national guidelines stipulate examination using at least two out of four hand sensory examination methods (SEM); monofilament (touch), two-point discrimination (discriminative), tuning fork (vibrotactile), and Rolltemp (thermotactile). The aim of this study was to examine the clinical consequence of using less than four of these SEMs. METHODS: We collected data on SEMs from the medical records of all individuals that went through the specific surveillance medical check-up in a large occupational health service for 1 year. We then calculated the number of workers found with HAVS when using one, two, or three SEMs, and compared with the result from using all available SEMs. RESULTS: Out of 677 examined individuals, 199 had positive findings in at least one SEM. The detection rate for these findings was on average 47% when using one SEM, 71% using two SEMs, and 88% using three SEMs (out of 100% detection when all four SEMs were used). CONCLUSIONS: If fewer than four sensory examination methods are used for surveillance of HAVS, many workers with incipient injuries may stay undetected. This may lead to further exposure resulting in aggravation of injury.</p>}},
  author       = {{Antonson, Carl and Thorsén, Frida and Nordander, Catarina}},
  issn         = {{1348-9585}},
  keywords     = {{hand-arm vibration syndrome; hazard surveillance system; neurologic examination; occupational health; sensory Function}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{01}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{12343--12343}},
  publisher    = {{Japan Society for Occupational Health}},
  series       = {{Journal of Occupational Health}},
  title        = {{The clinical consequence of using less than four sensory perception examination methods in the Swedish surveillance system for Hand-Arm vibration syndrome}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/1348-9585.12343}},
  doi          = {{10.1002/1348-9585.12343}},
  volume       = {{64}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}