Department of Occupational Science & Technology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA.
Ergonomics. 2013;56(6):1021-37. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2013.797112. Epub 2013 May 22.
Pooling data from different epidemiological studies of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is necessary to improve statistical power and to more precisely quantify exposure-response relationships for MSDs. The pooling process is difficult and time-consuming, and small methodological differences could lead to different exposure-response relationships. A sub-committee of a six-study research consortium studying carpal tunnel syndrome: (i) visited each study site, (ii) documented methods used to collect physical exposure data and (iii) determined compatibility of exposure variables across studies. Certain measures of force, frequency of exertion and duty cycle were collected by all studies and were largely compatible. A portion of studies had detailed data to investigate simultaneous combinations of force, frequency and duration of exertions. Limited compatibility was found for hand/wrist posture. Only two studies could calculate compatible Strain Index scores, but Threshold Limit Value for Hand Activity Level could be determined for all studies. Challenges of pooling data, resources required and recommendations for future researchers are discussed.
There is a need for standardised measures and measurement protocols of physical exposure for the upper extremity. This study may provide guidance for those planning to conduct an epidemiological study on quantified job physical exposures, or planning to merge physical exposure data from similar studies with some methodologic differences.
从不同的肌肉骨骼疾病（MSD）流行病学研究中汇集数据对于提高统计能力和更精确地量化 MSD 的暴露-反应关系是必要的。汇集过程困难且耗时，即使是很小的方法学差异也可能导致不同的暴露-反应关系。研究腕管综合征的六个研究联合体的一个小组委员会：（i）访问了每个研究地点，（ii）记录了收集身体暴露数据所使用的方法，（iii）确定了研究之间暴露变量的兼容性。所有研究都采集了某些力量、用力频率和工作周期的测量值，且这些测量值在很大程度上是兼容的。部分研究有详细的数据来研究用力、频率和持续时间的同时组合。手部/手腕姿势的兼容性有限。只有两项研究可以计算兼容的应变指数得分，但所有研究都可以确定手部活动水平的阈值限制值。本文讨论了汇集数据的挑战、所需资源以及对未来研究人员的建议。
需要标准化的上肢物理暴露测量方法和测量协议。本研究可为那些计划进行量化工作物理暴露的流行病学研究或计划通过一些方法学差异合并类似研究的物理暴露数据的人员提供指导。
