Einfluss der beruflichen Tätigkeit auf Erkrankungen des Bewegungsapparates der oberen Extremität

INTRODUCTION: Diseases of the musculoskeletal system of the upper extremity are the reason for increasing sickness-related absenteeism among the working population. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate the influence of occupational dependence on the development of musculoskeletal disorders of the upper extremities and to present health-related risks in addition to occupation-specific factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 1070 patients who underwent surgical rotator cuff (RC) reconstruction for an RC lesion between 2016 and 2019. The relevant data were retrospectively documented from the hospital information system. The patients’ occupations were classified according to the Classification of Occupations 2010 (KldB 2010) and compared with routinely recorded and anonymized freely available data (Federal Statistical Office, Federal Employment Agency). RESULTS: Of the 1070 patients, 844 were of working age. The age structure of the individual areas showed no significant differences. Based on the comparisons of patient data with the population, significantly higher RC injury rates were found in agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and horticulture (p = 0,003); construction, architecture, surveying and building services engineering (p < 0,001); transport, logistics, protection, and security (p < 0.001) and business organization, accounting, law, and administration (p < 0,001). There was a significantly reduced risk in science, geography and computer science (p = 0.015); commercial services, goods trade, distribution, hotel and tourism (p < 0,001); health, social affairs, teaching and education (p < 0,001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of RC lesions shows a statistical correlation with the occupation performed depending on the occupational branches. In addition to occupational dependency, gender-specific work factors play a role. Shoulder pain in gainful employment should be considered in a more differentiated way. This should enable preventive measures to be taken in a targeted manner.