Systematic Reviews as Evidence-Base for Dutch Guidelines to Assess Musculoskeletal Disorders as Occupational Disease: Examples of Shoulder, Knee and Low Back Disorders

Abstract

In The Netherlands, occupational physicians are obligated to report occupational diseases (ODs) to the Netherlands Center for Occupational Diseases (NCOD). Evidence-based occupational disease guidelines have been developed for musculoskeletal disorders. At the moment, the NCOD has 23 guidelines for work-related musculoskeletal disorders. The aim of this session is to explain the development of these criteria for the work-related assessment of subacromial pain syndrome, knee osteoarthritis and non-specific low back pain in the Netherlands. To enhance the application of these guidelines for ergonomic professionals, the exposure-criteria for the same job demands are categorized for instance in exerted hand force, movement, posture and vibration. When a job demand exceeds the exposure criteria, evidence is available that a worker has an increased risk of developing an occupational disease. For example, hand-arm elevation (≥60° 1 h/day), hand force (≥10% maximum voluntary force exertion) and hand-arm vibration (>2.5 m/s² 8 h/day) are examples of exposure criteria for the work-relatedness of subacromial pain syndrome. International comparison of OD exposure criteria and knowledge about corresponding effective preventive measures could be enhanced by scientific collaboration in defining evidence-based work-related diagnostic criteria and guidelines. The knowledge could be anchored in instruments and tools for ergonomic professionals.