Article

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the predictive ability of the Upper-Limb Work
Instability Scale (UL-WIS) for transitioning out of work among injured workers
with chronic, work-related upper extremity disorders (WRUEDs). DESIGN: Secondary
analysis of a 12-month cohort study with data collection at baseline and 3-, 6-,
and 12-month follow-up. Survey questionnaires were used to collect data on an
array of sociodemographic, health-related, and work-related variables. SETTING:
Upper extremity specialty clinics. PARTICIPANTS: Injured workers (N=356) with
WRUEDs who were working at the time of initial clinic attendance. INTERVENTIONS:
Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Transitioning out of work. RESULTS:
Multivariable logistic regression that considered 9 potential confounders
revealed baseline UL-WIS (range, 0-17) to be a statistically significant
predictor of a subsequent transition out of work (adjusted odds ratio, 1.18; 95%
confidence interval [CI], 1.07-1.31; P=.001). An assessment of predictive values
across the UL-WIS score range identified cut-scores of <6 (negative predictive
value, .81; 95% CI, .62-.94) and >15 (positive predictive value, .80; 95% CI, .52-.96), differentiating the scale into 3 bands representing low, moderate, and
high risk of exiting work. CONCLUSIONS: The UL-WIS was shown to be an independent
predictor of poor work sustainability among injured workers with chronic WRUEDs ;
however, when applied as a standalone tool in clinical settings, some limits to
its predictive accuracy should also be recognized.
CI - Copyright (c) 2015 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS