Efficacy of vibration, electric current and thermal perception tests in diagnosis of hand-arm vibration syndrome. 1998

E Zamysłowska-Szmytke
Department of Physical Hazards, Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine, Lódź, Poland.

Vibration perception test is usually proposed as a useful tool for quantitative assessment of neurological disturbances induced by hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS). The increased mean vibration perception threshold (VPT) is an early manifestation of this syndrome. However, we have identified a group of exposed subjects with normal VPT who showed electric current and/or thermal sensitivity impairment. The use of three tests instead of a single vibration test increased by 27% the number of persons with detected quantitative skin sensory disorders. The intensity of quantitative disorders of vibration and electric current sensitivity was closely related to the duration of vibration exposure. The thermal perception was diminished in subjects working for a longer period of time, but there was no relationship between intensity of disorders and the duration of exposure. In an early stage of hand-arm vibration syndrome (prevention of HAVS) the use of three tests helps to identify a larger number of workers at risk who should undergo thorough diagnostic examinations. In our study the proportion of identified workers increased from 27% (32 subjects with vibration sensory impairment) to 45% (53 persons with disorders detected in one, two or even three tests).

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009784 Occupational Diseases Diseases caused by factors involved in one's employment. Diseases, Occupational,Occupational Illnesses,Disease, Occupational,Illnesse, Occupational,Illnesses, Occupational,Occupational Disease,Occupational Illnesse
D012090 Cumulative Trauma Disorders Harmful and painful condition caused by overuse or overexertion of some part of the musculoskeletal system, often resulting from work-related physical activities. It is characterized by inflammation, pain, or dysfunction of the involved joints, bones, ligaments, and nerves. Overuse Syndrome,Repetition Strain Injury,Trauma Disorders, Cumulative,Injury, Repetition Strain,Overuse Injury,Repetitive Motion Disorders,Repetitive Strain Injury,Repetitive Stress Injury,Strain Injury, Repetition,Cumulative Trauma Disorder,Injury, Overuse,Injury, Repetitive Strain,Injury, Repetitive Stress,Motion Disorder, Repetitive,Overuse Injuries,Overuse Syndromes,Repetition Strain Injuries,Repetitive Motion Disorder,Repetitive Strain Injuries,Repetitive Stress Injuries,Strain Injury, Repetitive,Stress Injury, Repetitive,Trauma Disorder, Cumulative
D004558 Electric Stimulation Use of electric potential or currents to elicit biological responses. Stimulation, Electric,Electrical Stimulation,Electric Stimulations,Electrical Stimulations,Stimulation, Electrical,Stimulations, Electric,Stimulations, Electrical
D006225 Hand The distal part of the arm beyond the wrist in humans and primates, that includes the palm, fingers, and thumb. Hands
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D001132 Arm The superior part of the upper extremity between the SHOULDER and the ELBOW. Brachium,Upper Arm,Arm, Upper,Arms,Arms, Upper,Brachiums,Upper Arms
D012307 Risk Factors An aspect of personal behavior or lifestyle, environmental exposure, inborn or inherited characteristic, which, based on epidemiological evidence, is known to be associated with a health-related condition considered important to prevent. Health Correlates,Risk Factor Scores,Risk Scores,Social Risk Factors,Population at Risk,Populations at Risk,Correlates, Health,Factor, Risk,Factor, Social Risk,Factors, Social Risk,Risk Factor,Risk Factor Score,Risk Factor, Social,Risk Factors, Social,Risk Score,Score, Risk,Score, Risk Factor,Social Risk Factor

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