Research article

Hospital contacts for injuries and musculoskeletal diseases among seamen and fishermen: A population-based cohort study

Linda Kaerlev^1,2 , Anker Jensen³ , Per Sabro Nielsen^1,4 , Jørn Olsen⁵ , Harald Hannerz⁶ and Finn Tüchsen⁶

¹Research Unit of Maritime Medicine at University of Southern Denmark, Esbjerg, Denmark

²Linda Kærlev, Specialist in Occupational Medicine, Esbjerg, Denmark

³Danish Defence, Occupational Health Center South, Fredericia, Denmark/Department of Occupational Health, Haderslev Hospital, Denmark

⁴Department of Occupational Health, Esbjerg Hospital, Denmark

⁵School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology, The Southern California Injury Center, UCLA, LA, USA

⁶National Institute of Occupational Health, Copenhagen, Denmark

author email corresponding author email

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders 2008, 9:8doi:10.1186/1471-2474-9-8

Published:	23 January 2008

Abstract

Background

We studied musculoskeletal diseases (MSD) and injuries among fishermen and seamen with focus on low back disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), rotator cuff syndrome and arthrosis.

Methods

Cohorts of all male Danish seamen (officers and non-officers) and fishermen employed 1994 and 1999 with at least six months employment history were linked to the Occupational Hospitalisation Register. We calculated standardised incidence ratios (SIR) for the two time periods, using rates for the entire Danish workforce as a reference.

Results

Among fishermen, we found high SIRs for knee arthrosis, thoraco-lumbar disc disorders, injuries and statistically significant SIRs above 200 were seen for both rotator cuff syndrome and CTS. The SIR was augmented for injuries and reduced for hip arthrosis between the two time periods. The SIRs for injuries and CTS were high for non-officers. A sub-analysis revealed that the highest risk for CTS was found among male non-officers working as deck crew, SIR 233 (95% CI: 166–317) based on 40 cases. Among officers, the SIRs for injuries and MSDs were low. The number of employed Danish fishermen declined with 25% 1994–1999 to 3470. Short-term employments were common. None of the SIRs increased with increasing length of employment.

Conclusion

Both fishermen and non-officers have high SIRs for injuries and fishermen also for MSD. Only the SIR for injuries among fishermen was augmented between 1994 and 1999. Our findings suggest an association between the incidence of rotator cuff syndrome and CTS and work within fishery. Long-term cumulative effects of employment were not shown for any of the disease outcomes. Other conditions may play a role.