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Multicenter Study
. 2023 Sep 11;16(1):207.
doi: 10.1186/s13104-023-06448-2.

Evaluation of the socioprofessional consequences of thoracic outlet syndrome

Charlotte Logiou  1 , Xavier Demondion  2   3 , Vincent Tiffreau  4   5 , Valérie Wieczorek  4 , André Thevenon  6   7
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Evaluation of the socioprofessional consequences of thoracic outlet syndrome

Charlotte Logiou et al. BMC Res Notes. .

Abstract

Purpose: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a ductal syndrome that can have a significant functional impact. Various studies have highlighted positional factors and repetitive movements as risk factors for the development of TOS. However, there are few literature data on the socioprofessional consequences of TOS.

Methods: We performed a prospective, cross-sectional, descriptive, multicentre study of workers having received a Doppler ultrasound diagnosis of TOS between December 17th, 2018, and March 16th, 2021. Immediately after their diagnosis, patients completed a self-questionnaire on the impact of TOS on their work activities. We assessed the frequency of TOS-related difficulties at work and the associated socioprofessional consequences. Trial Registration Number (TRN) is NCT03780647 and date of registration December 18, 2018.

Results: Eighty-two participants (95.3%) reported difficulties at work. Seventy-seven of the participants with difficulties (94%) worked in the tertiary sector; these difficulties were due to prolonged maintenance of a posture, carrying loads, and repetitive movements. Although the majority of participants experienced organizational problems and lacked support at work, few of them had approached support organizations, expert and/or healthcare professionals.

Conclusions: TOS was almost always associated with difficulties at work (95.3%). However, poor awareness of sources of help or a perceived lack of need may discourage people with TOS from taking steps to resolve these difficulties. It is clear that the socioprofessional management of TOS requires significant improvements.

Keywords: Impact; Professional; Thoracic outlet syndrome; Work.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Distribution of educational grade levels in the study population (n = 86)
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Symptoms at TOS onset among the study participants with difficulties at work (n = 82)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Work activity at symptom onset among study participants with TOS-related difficulties at work (n = 82)
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
The most disabling tasks at work
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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