Abstract
Objectives: Physically-demanding occupations may increase rotator cuff disease (RCD) risk and need for surgery. We linked a job-exposure matrix (JEM) to the UK Biobank cohort study to measure physical occupational exposures and estimate associations with RCD surgery.
Methods: Jobs and UK Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes were recorded during the UK Biobank verbal interview. Lifetime job histories were captured through a web-based survey. UK SOC codes were linked to a JEM based on the US O*NET database. O*NET-based scores [static strength, dynamic strength, general physical activities, handling/moving objects (range=1–7), time spent using hands, whole body vibration, and cramped/awkward positions (range=1–5)] were assigned to jobs. RCD surgeries were identified through linked national hospital inpatient records. Multivariable Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) as estimates of associations with RCD surgery. Among those with lifetime job histories, associations were estimated for duration of time with greatest exposure (top quartile of exposure).
Results: Of 277 808 people reporting jobs, 1997 (0.7%) had an inpatient RCD surgery. After adjusting for age, sex, race, education, area deprivation, and body mass index, all O*NET variables considered were associated with RCD surgery (HR per point increase range=1.10–1.45, all P<0.005). A total of 100 929 people reported lifetime job histories, in which greater exposures were significantly associated with RCD surgery after >10 years of work (eg, HR for 11–20 versus 0 years with static strength score ≥4 = 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.39–3.04).
Conclusions: Workplace physical demands are an important risk factor for RCD surgery, particularly for workers with more than a decade of exposure.
Methods: Jobs and UK Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) codes were recorded during the UK Biobank verbal interview. Lifetime job histories were captured through a web-based survey. UK SOC codes were linked to a JEM based on the US O*NET database. O*NET-based scores [static strength, dynamic strength, general physical activities, handling/moving objects (range=1–7), time spent using hands, whole body vibration, and cramped/awkward positions (range=1–5)] were assigned to jobs. RCD surgeries were identified through linked national hospital inpatient records. Multivariable Cox regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) as estimates of associations with RCD surgery. Among those with lifetime job histories, associations were estimated for duration of time with greatest exposure (top quartile of exposure).
Results: Of 277 808 people reporting jobs, 1997 (0.7%) had an inpatient RCD surgery. After adjusting for age, sex, race, education, area deprivation, and body mass index, all O*NET variables considered were associated with RCD surgery (HR per point increase range=1.10–1.45, all P<0.005). A total of 100 929 people reported lifetime job histories, in which greater exposures were significantly associated with RCD surgery after >10 years of work (eg, HR for 11–20 versus 0 years with static strength score ≥4 = 2.06, 95% confidence interval 1.39–3.04).
Conclusions: Workplace physical demands are an important risk factor for RCD surgery, particularly for workers with more than a decade of exposure.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 53-63 |
| Number of pages | 11 |
| Journal | Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment & Health |
| Volume | 49 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 13 Oct 2022 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jan 2023 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
This research has been conducted using the UK Biobank Resource (www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/) under Application Number 27034. This work was supported by the United States National Institutes of Health [K01AR073318 to E.L.Y.] and the United States National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health [R01 OH011076 to B.A.E.]. The funders did not influence the design of the study, analysis or interpretation of the data, the writing of this report or the decision to publish.Keywords
- job exposure matrix
- occupational health