[Initial data on shoulder pathology in workers exposed to the risk of lifting patients in different rest homes in Trento Province].

A total of 829 subjects (females: 364 aged < 36 years and 360 aged > 35 years; males: 52 aged < 36 years and 53 aged > 35 years) employed on assistance and handling of patients in 42 geriatric residences in the Province of Trento underwent physical and anamnestic examination using a standardized method proposed by the EPM Research Unit for identification of shoulder disorders. The subjects who had reported the existence of pain lasting at least one week in the previous 12 months and occurring at least once a month and not due to trauma of the scapulo-humeral joint were defined as cases with positive history. The shoulder disorders were correlated to the degree of exposure to risk due to handling of patients and quantified with a MAPO Index. The prevalences of disorders of the scapulo-humeral joint in the group under study were slightly higher than those of the workers not exposed to patient handling, however the difference was significant only in females aged over 35 years. The correlation with work seniority was positive. The frequency of scapulo-humeral periarthritis (current and past) in the subjects under study was high (5%); in addition a greater frequency of disorders was observed in subjects with higher degrees of exposure to patient handling. The above observations require further study and confirmation but do not exclude the possibility that the risk involved in handling patients can have effects not only on the dorso-lumbar region but also on other joints, such as in this case the scapulo-humeral joint.