Search

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess risk of common musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) based on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk scores., Methods: Data from a 9-year prospective cohort of 1224 workers in three states were analyzed. Baseline data included questionnaires, structured interviews, physical examinations, anthropometric measurements, nerve conduction studies, and individualized measurement of job physical factors. Monthly follow-ups were conducted. Framingham risk scores were calculated. A priori case definitions were constructed for carpal tunnel syndrome, lateral epicondylopathy, medial epicondylopathy, and rotator cuff tendinopathy., Results: Adjusted RRs for one or more MSDs increased to 3.90 (95% confidence interval, 2.20-6.90) among those with 10-year cardiovascular disease risk scores greater than 15% and 17.4 (95% confidence interval, 3.85-78.62) among those with more than 4 disorders., Conclusions: Cardiovascular disease factors are strongly associated with the subsequent development of common MSDs. Risks among those with multiple MSDs are considerably stronger., Competing Interests: Conflict of interest: K.T.H. is the Editor-in-Chief of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine’s Evidence-Based Practice Guidelines. D.L.D. has received payments from the University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee (UW System). R.K. has received funding for committee work for the American Board of Anesthesia., (Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.)

Background: The pathophysiology of lateral epicondylitis (LE) is unclear. Recent evidence suggests some common musculoskeletal disorders may have a basis in cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Thus, we examined CVD risks as potential LE risks., Methods: Workers (n = 1824) were enrolled in two large prospective studies and underwent structured interviews and physical examinations at baseline. Analysis of pooled baseline data assessed the relationships separately between a modified Framingham Heart Study CVD risk score and three prevalence outcomes of: 1) lateral elbow pain, 2) positive resisted wrist or middle finger extension, and 3) a combination of both symptoms and at least one resisted maneuver. Quantified job exposures, personal and psychosocial confounders were statistically controlled. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% Confidence Intervals (CIs) were calculated., Results: There was a strong relationship between CVD risk score and lateral elbow symptoms, resisted wrist or middle finger extension and LE after adjustment for confounders. The adjusted ORs for symptoms were as high as 3.81 (95% CI 2.11, 6.85), for positive examination with adjusted odds ratios as high as 2.85 (95% CI 1.59, 5.12) and for combined symptoms and physical examination 6.20 (95% CI 2.04, 18.82). Relationships trended higher with higher CVD risk scores., Conclusions: These data suggest a potentially modifiable disease mechanism for LE.

Objective: Recent evidence has found potential associations between cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and common musculoskeletal disorders. We evaluated possible associations between risk factors and both glenohumeral joint pain and rotator cuff tendinopathy., Methods: Data from WISTAH hand study participants (n = 1226) were assessed for associations between Framingham Heart Study CVD risk factors and both health outcomes., Results: A strong association was observed between CVD risk scores and both glenohumeral joint pain and rotator cuff tendinopathy. Peak odds ratios (ORs) of the adjusted models were 4.55 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.97 to 10.31] and 5.97 (95% CI 2.12 to 16.83), respectively. The results show a dose-response trend of increasing risk., Conclusions: Individual risk factors were associated with both outcomes. Combined, CVD risk factors demonstrated a strong correlation with glenohumeral joint pain and an even stronger correlation with rotator cuff tendinopathy. Results suggest a potentially modifiable disease mechanism.