The data on skin temperature obtained in a cold provocation test (immersing one hand in water at 10°C for 10 min) were analyzed to confirm their usefulness for examining the peripheral circulatory functions of vibrating tool operators. Under room temperatures from 20 to 23°C in winter, the skin temperatures after the end of provocation of the VWF (vibration-induced white finger) group were generally significantly lower than those of the age-matched non-VWF and reference groups, and the non-VWF operators with over 5000 h or chain-saw experience showed significantly lower skin temperatures 5 and 10 min after provocation than the age-matched referents. In this study skin temperature was used as a screening test for VWF. The highest sensitivity (91.1%) was obtained at 19.0°C at the fifth minute after the end of the provocation, and the highest specificity (93.3%) at 15.5°C at the third minute after provocation, both the sensitivity and specificity being over 70% and the correct diagnosis rate being over 80% among the screening levels.
CITATION STYLE
Kurumatani, N., Iki, M., Hirata, K., Moriyama, T., Satoh, M., & Arai, T. (1986). Usefulness of fingertip skin temperature for examining peripheral circulatory disturbances of vibrating tool operators. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 12(4), 245–248. https://doi.org/10.5271/sjweh.2143
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