A longitudinal study of the vibration syndrome in Finnish forestry workers

Pyykkö, I.; Korhonen, O. S.; Färkkilä, M. A.; Starck, J. P.; Aatola, S. A.

Affiliations

¹Department of Otolaryngology, University Hospital of Lund, Lund, Sweden

²Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland

³Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

Abstract (English)

A longitudinal study of the Vibration Syndrome (VS) in forest workers has been conducted from 1972 (118 subjects) to 1980 (197 subjects). The prevalence of vibration—induced white finger (VWF) was 40% in 1972, when the mean latent period was 5600 h (SD=2500 h). A gradual decline in the prevalence of VWF has since occurred, to 7% in 1980, and the severity of VWF has decreased significantly. Paresthesia of the hands and arms also decreased from 78% to 40% during this period. No correlation was found between the severity of VWF and peripheral nerve symptoms. A separate study of 81 forest workers, who had used only saws with vibration—isolated handles, revealed that 28% had symptoms of paresthesia and 16% had VWF. No single, satisfactory, objective test for the VS or method for establishing the impairment of sufferers has been found.

Abstract (French)

Une étude longitudinale du syndrome de vibration chez des travailleurs forestiers a été effectude entre 1972 (118 sujets) et 1980 (197 sujets . La prevalence des doigts blancs dûs aux vibrations (VWF) était de 40% en 1972, alors que la période latente moyenne était de 5600 h (SD=2500 h). Une baisse progressive (à 7% en 1980) de la prevalence des doigts blancs a eu lieu depuis et la gravité des doigts blancs a diminué de façon significative. La paresthésie des mains et des bras a également diminué de 78% à 40% au cours de cette période. Aucune correlation n’a pu être établie entre la gravité des doigts blancs et des symptômes nerveux périphériques. One autre étude de 81 travailleurs forestiers, qui n’avaient utilisé que des scies avec poignées antivibrations, a révélé que 28% avaient des symptômes de paresthésie et 16% avaient des doigts blancs. Aucun test objectif, satisfaisant et unique pour le syndrome de vibration ni aucune méthode pour determiner l’affaiblissement des victimes n’ont été trouvés.

Cited Works (7)

Year	Entry
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Cited By (4)

Year	Entry
1990	Griffin MJ. Handbook of Human Vibration. London, UK: Academic Press Limited; 1990.
1982	Taylor W, Brammer AJ. Vibration effects on the hand and arm in industry: an introduction and review. In: Brammer A., Taylor W, eds. Vibration Effects on the Hand and Arm in Industry. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons; 1982:1-12.
1994	Pyykkö I, Färkkilä M, Inaba R, Starck J, Pekkarinen J. Effect of hand-arm vibration on inner ear and cardiac functions in man. Nagoya J Med Sci. May 1994;57(suppl):113-119.
1987	Brammer AJ, Taylor W, Lundborg G. Sensorineural stages of the hand-arm vibration syndrome. Scand J Work Environ Health. August 1987;13(4):279-283.