The inclusion of homemakers as an occupation amongst people with upper limb repetitive stress injuries.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors contributing to upper limb repetitive stress injuries (RSIs) have been well-documented in literature, but there has been no such data in Singapore.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate potential contributory factors to upper limb RSIsMETHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of clients who were referred to outpatient upper limb rehabilitation in 2012. Demographic information was retrieved from an electronic documentation system. Descriptive analyses were performed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 17.

RESULTS: A total of 1108 upper limb RSI referrals (827 females, 281 males) were included in this study. The mean age of the group was 53.74 (s.d. 13.03) with a significant proportion within the range of 51-60 years old. The 3 diagnoses which accounted for the majority of clients were: flexor tendinitis of the hand and fingers, DeQuervain's tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome. A statistically significant proportion of these clients were also involved in doing housework.

CONCLUSIONS: Upper limb RSIs is prevalent amongst the general population, especially in females. Participation in housework may entail biomechanical loads which may contribute to or worsen upper limb RSIs. Occupational classification systems should include homemakers as a standalone category, distinct from paid domestic help, given the similar nature of physical work involved.