Carpal tunnel syndrome among apprentice construction workers

Details

• Personal Author:
  Anton DC ; Cook TM ; Merlino LA ; Rosecrance JC
• Description:
  BACKGROUND: In terms of lost-work time and restricted workdays, surgery, and rehabilitation, one of the most costly occupational musculoskeletal disorders is carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of CTS among apprentice construction workers. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included apprentices from four construction trades. Apprentices completed a self-administered questionnaire and received electrophysiologic studies assessing median nerve function across the carpal tunnel. A surveillance case definition for CTS was based on characteristic hand symptoms and the presence of median mononeuropathy across the carpal tunnel. RESULTS: Of the 1,325 eligible apprentices, 1,142 (86.2%) participated in the study. The prevalence of CTS among apprentices was 8.2%; sheet metal workers had the highest rate (9.2%). In operating engineers, the prevalence of CTS was significantly higher (OR = 6.9; 95% CI = 2.6-18.2) among the heavy equipment mechanics than the drivers of those vehicles. Body mass index, age, and self-reports of working overhead were associated with prevalent CTS. Less than 15% of the apprentices with CTS sought medical attention for their disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Many construction workers begin developing CTS before or during their apprenticeship. Few apprentices seek medical attention for hand symptoms characteristic of CTS. The results of this study indicate a public health need for the implementation of prevention strategies for CTS in the construction industry. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Age Factors Construction Industry Electrophysiology Ergonomics Musculoskeletal Diseases Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety Surveys And Questionnaires
• Keywords:
  Age-factors Author Keywords: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Carpal-tunnel-syndrome Construction Construction-industry Construction-workers Hand-injuries Health-surveys Injuries Injury-prevention Lost-work-days Musculoskeletal-system-disorders Musculoskeletal Disorders Nerve-damage Nerve-function Nerve Conduction Studies Questionnaires Surveillance Weight-factors

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• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant ; Cooperative Agreement
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Iowa ; OSHA Region 7
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  107-116
• Volume:
  42
• Issue:
  2
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20040377
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2002 Aug; 42(2):107-116
• Contact Point Address:
  John C. Rosecrance, 134 I.R.E.H., Department of Occupational and Environmental Health,The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242-5000
• Email:
  john-rosecrance@uiowa.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2002
• NORA Priority Area:
  Disease and Injury: Musculoskeletal Disorders of the Upper Extremities
• Performing Organization:
  University of Iowa, Iowa City
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  19990930
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20021231
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b82635dffe2615483c8f84cf2aa2bf0c722eb92fff69a3b721778826973bea02b869e544f42812d20552c35db177988794665cdc8bc4d31ae17cf237432760b7
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/193280/cdc_193280_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 170.04 KB ]