Southampton scientists to survey 16,000 local people in major 'RSI' study
A TEAM of scientists at Southampton University is to carry out a major study involving 16,000 people in Southampton and Portsmouth to try to find out more about the controversial rheumatic complaint, 'repetitive strain injury'.
The two-year study has been jointly funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign and the Health and Safety Executive. The ARC has awarded £68,867.
"This study will provide Britain's most comprehensive picture of the frequency of upper limb complaints and diagnoses, and their impact and relation to work activities," explained Dr Keith Palmer, consultant in occupational medicine, and clinical scientist at the MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit at Southampton General Hospital.
"Rheumatic disorders of the upper limb and neck commonly give rise to ill health and lost time from work. These conditions include a range of recognised diseases, such as frozen shoulder, tennis elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome; but in many cases no medical explanation can be found for people's complaints."
Around 16,000 working-age men and women from general practices will be sent a questionnaire about recent symptoms and work and leisure activities.
Everyone who reports a complaint will be invited to undergo a more detailed interview and examination to establish the diagnosis and assess the impact of the illness.
The team wants to get rid of the term RSI, which is vague and can have many different meanings, and make a distinction between recognised diseases and non-specific pain, which may have different causes and different outcomes.
"Controversially, repetitive forceful occupational activities have often been blamed for causing upper limb complaints, but psychological factors have sometimes been considered more important," added Dr Palmer.
"We want to determine how common the different categories of complaint are, and to compare the relative importance of workplace and life-style risk factors in specific and non-specific disorders of the upper limb and neck."
The team will also measure and compare the impact of different disorders on physical function, length of illness, lost working time and quality of life.
