The correlation between work environment and the occurrence of cervicobrachial symptoms.

The correlation between symptoms from the neck and upper extremities and some individual and work-related factors was analyzed in 2814 industrial workers. Physical stress by type of job was the factor most strongly correlated with ongoing cervicobrachial symptoms. Symptoms from the neck and upper extremities were twice as common in workers who used vibrating hand tools. Mental stress at the onset of the symptoms was associated with an increased prevalence of trapezius myalgia and with lateral humeral epicondylitis and "radial tunnel syndrome" in the dominant arm. Women had about double the rate of cervicobrachial symptoms as did men. Short stature increased the rate of symptoms from the neck, shoulders, and hands as did overweight. Playing of racquet sports decreased the risk of symptoms from the neck and hands.