TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessing agreement of self-reported and observed physical exposures of the upper extremity
AU - Dale, Ann Marie
AU - Strickland, Jaime
AU - Gardner, Bethany
AU - Symanzik, Juergen
AU - Evanoff, Bradley Allen
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - Assessment of workplace physical exposures by self-reported questionnaires has logistical advantages in population studies, but is subject to exposure misclassification. This study measured agreement between eight self-reported and observer-rated physical exposures to the hands and wrists, and evaluated predictors of intermethod agreement. Workers (n = 341) from three occupational categories (clerical/technical, construction, and service) completed self-administered questionnaires and worksite assessments. Analyses compared self-reported and observed ratings using a weighted kappa coefficient. Personal and psychosocial factors, presence of upper extremity symptoms, and job type were evaluated as predictors of agreement. Weighted kappa values were substantial for lifting (0.67) and holding vibrating tools (0.61), moderate for forceful grip (0.58), and fair to poor for all other exposures. Upper extremity symptoms did not predict greater disagreement between self-reported and observed exposures. Occupational category was the only significant predictor of inter-method agreement. Self-reported exposures may provide a useful estimate of some work exposures for population studies.
AB - Assessment of workplace physical exposures by self-reported questionnaires has logistical advantages in population studies, but is subject to exposure misclassification. This study measured agreement between eight self-reported and observer-rated physical exposures to the hands and wrists, and evaluated predictors of intermethod agreement. Workers (n = 341) from three occupational categories (clerical/technical, construction, and service) completed self-administered questionnaires and worksite assessments. Analyses compared self-reported and observed ratings using a weighted kappa coefficient. Personal and psychosocial factors, presence of upper extremity symptoms, and job type were evaluated as predictors of agreement. Weighted kappa values were substantial for lifting (0.67) and holding vibrating tools (0.61), moderate for forceful grip (0.58), and fair to poor for all other exposures. Upper extremity symptoms did not predict greater disagreement between self-reported and observed exposures. Occupational category was the only significant predictor of inter-method agreement. Self-reported exposures may provide a useful estimate of some work exposures for population studies.
KW - Bias
KW - Carpal tunnel syndrome
KW - Epidemiologic studies
KW - Hand
KW - Physical exertion
KW - Questionnaires
KW - Surveys
KW - Upper extremity
KW - Work
KW - Wrist
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=74749094152&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1179/oeh.2010.16.1.1
DO - 10.1179/oeh.2010.16.1.1
M3 - Article
C2 - 20166314
AN - SCOPUS:74749094152
SN - 1077-3525
VL - 16
SP - 1
EP - 10
JO - International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
JF - International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Health
IS - 1
ER -