Relationships of neurosensory disorders and reduced work ability to alternative frequency weightings of hand-transmitted vibration

Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health

Andrea Prodi¹  Marcella Mauro¹  Massimo Bovenzi² 

[1] ;Clinical Unit of Occupational Medicine, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Trieste, Centro Tumori, Via della Pietà 19, I-34129 Trieste, Italy.;

关键词: vibration;    work ability;    hand-transmitted vibration;    exposure–response relationship;    vibration exposure;    sensorineural symptom;    quantitative sensory testing;    frequency weighting function;    finger numbness;    neurosensory disorder;    alternative frequency weighting;    cohort study;   

DOI  :  10.5271/sjweh.3490

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

OBJECTIVE: This cohort study aims to compare the performance of alternative frequency weightings of hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) for the assessment of the exposure–response relationships for neurosensory disorders and reduced work ability among HTV-exposed workers. METHODS: In a 3-year follow up study, the occurrence of neurosensory symptoms and reduced work ability, and the response to quantitative sensory testing (grip force, manipulative dexterity, touch sensation) were investigated in 249 HTV-exposed workers and 138 healthy controls. Among the HTV-exposed workers, the sensory outcomes were related to measures of daily vibration exposure expressed in terms of 8-hour energy-equivalent frequency-weighted acceleration magnitude [A(8)]. To calculate A(8), the acceleration magnitudes of vibration were weighted by means of four alternative frequency weightings of HTV. RESULTS: The occurrence of neurosensory symptoms, reduced work ability, and abnormalities of sensory tests was greater among the HTV-exposed workers than the controls. Among the HTV-exposed workers, the deterioration of neurosensory outcomes and the reduction of work ability increased on par with the measures of vibration exposure. Exposure–response models revealed that the four alternative frequency weightings of HTV provided the same predictions for the probability of finger numbness among the exposed workers (observed 36% versus predicted 32%). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study revealed significant dose–response relationships between measures of vibration exposure, sensory disorders, and reduced work ability among the HTV-exposed workers. There were no differences in the prediction of finger numbness between measures of vibration exposure calculated with alternative frequency weightings of HTV.

【 授权许可】

Unknown