Introduction: Several studies have dealt with the issue of professional risk factors and onset of knee osteoarthritis (OA). In particular, occupational epidemiological studies have provided evidence that activities resulting in biomechanical overload may be linked with an increased risk of knee OA - also among farmers. To our knowledge, no cases of knee OA among chestnut farmers have been reported in the literature.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMedical surveillance is one of the primary instruments in occupational health activities and is considered essential to maintain employees' good health. However, the efficacy of medical surveillance has not been sufficiently tested. The aim of this review was to evaluate the usefulness of medical surveillance, using available literature on Pubmed for the period 2005 to 2014.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMusculoskeletal disorders are a relevant issue among farmers. From the literature it emerges a convincing evidence for an association of arthritis of the hip and work in the agricultural sector, while there is a less evidence when studying knee osteoarthritis and farming. For what concerns cervicobrachial pain, current available epidemiological data are not sufficient to define farmers at risk.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF