Assessment of work-related risks factors for carpal tunnel syndrome

Background: The association of carpal tunnel syndrome with occupational ris k factors is well established. However, in clinical practice these factors are only rarely considered and evaluated. Managing these risk factors could prevent the occurrence of future cases and alleviate treatment of the affl icted individuals. Objectives: To estimate the role of occupational risk factors in a large gr oup of patients diagnosed by electrophysiological studies as suffering from CTS. Methods: A group of 396 subjects (204 women, 165 men) who were tested in on e laboratory by electrophysiological studies were further evaluated (by que stionnaire) to determine the possible role of occupational and other risk f actors in the etiology of their syndrome. Results: Persons employed in high force - low repetitive or low force - hig h repetitive jobs, harbor an extra risk for developing CTS as compared with controls, OR=3.21 (95% C1 = 1.5-6.9) and OR= 4.72 (95%C1 = 1.8-12.5), resp ectively. These jobs include typists/secretaries, nursing personnel, produc tion workers and housewives. Conclusion: Evaluation of a general group of examinees referred for electro physiological studies on sympatology compatible with CTS may show that occu pational risk factors play a substantial role in the development of symptom s, By increasing the awareness of clinicians and the public to these risk f actors, appropriate preventive measures can be introduced and the burden of the disease reduced.