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Abstract
A questionnaire survey of 328 hospital employees was used to establish the general
prevalence of neck symptoms related to everyday activities in a representative population
of working society. The response rate was 92 per cent. Of the study population of
302, 54 had suffered a neck injury, and of this group, 43 (80 per cent) had some neck
discomfort during or after performing normal everyday tasks. Of the symptomatic cases,
only seven (16 per cent) admitted that they had suffered from some neck symptoms before
the injury, whilst 36 (84 per cent) attributed all of their neck symptoms to the injury
sustained. Of the total population, 248 had not suffered a neck injury and of this
group 84 (34 per cent) suffered some neck discomfort during or after performing normal
everyday tasks. The χ2 test was used to test the null hypothesis that the sub-group attributing their symptoms
to injury, in whom only 16 per cent acknowledged pre-existent neck symptoms, was derived
from the same population as the group who had not suffered any definite neck injury,
and yet were still troubled with some neck symptoms in 34 per cent of cases. This
hypothesis was rejected (P < 0.01), indicating that there was a significant difference between these two groups.
We conclude that some individuals who suffer a neck injury do not recall that they
suffered some minor neck symptoms before injury. The statistical analysis and alternative
possible explanations are discussed. Our conclusions may be of medico-legal importance
in cases where compensation is being sought.
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References
- Prevalence, determinants, and consequences of chronic neck pain in Finland.Am J Epidemiol. 1991; 134: 1356
- Workplace ergonomic factors and the development of musculoskeletal disorders of the neck and upper limbs: a meta analysis.Am J Ind Med. 1991; 19: 87
- Seasonal variation in neck and shoulder symptoms.Scand J Work Environ Health. 1992; 18: 257
Article info
Publication history
Accepted:
July 20,
1994
Identification
Copyright
© 1995 Published by Elsevier Inc.