Prevalencia de síntomas de extremidades superiores según riesgos del puesto de trabajo, psicosociales y personales

Abstract

This study measured the prevalence of musculoskeletal symptoms related to work using the upper extremities and their relationship to risk factors linked to task performance, psychosocial risk factors, sex, age and length of employment. The study design was exploratory and correlational, conducted in a convenience sample of 45 workers. The presence of symptoms was explored using the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire for a Chilean population, along with repetitiveness, forced posture, strength. Environmental factors were explored using the standard identification and evaluation of risk factors based on the Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders inventory (TMERT in Spanish) of the Chilean Ministry of Health. Psychosocial factors were explored using the short version (21 items) of the Psychosocial Risk of the Workplace (SUSESOISTAS in Spanish) questionnaire, which explores age, sex and length of employment. Results in 2017 show that 8% of workers reported no symptoms in the upper extremity or back. In addition, 48.9% of symptomatic workers were men under 45 years of age (55.6%), with less than 5 years of employment (73.4%). No statistically significant differences were observed between psychosocial demands and presence of musculoskeletal symptoms. However, 51.6% of workers with musculoskeletal symptoms had high levels of psychosocial risk for the dual presence. We conclude that specific knowledge of the working population is essential in order to protect them and to control and prevent musculoskeletal disorders at work. In addition, a comprehensive biopsychosocial approach that generates information to act rationally and with expectations of finding solutions must be adopted.