A Population-Based Study of Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow in Washington State Workers’ Compensation

Details

• Personal Author:
  Franklin GM ; Fulton-Kehoe D ; Juratli SM ; Nayan M ; Robinson LR
• Description:
  Background: There are no population-based studies of return to work after ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). We examine the predictors of return to work following a diagnosis of work-related UNE. Methods: Workers diagnosed with work-related UNE between 1995 and 2000 were identified from the administrative records of the Washington State workers' compensation system (n = 2,863). The medical records of 250 randomly selected surgical cases were reviewed. The end of wage replacement, our primary outcome, is a surrogate marker of the potential ability to return to work. Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were used to model duration of wage replacement as a function of select sociodemographic, clinical, electrodiagnostic, and disability predictors. Results: The mean wage replacement and medical benefits paid per case were $19,100 and $15,200, respectively. Older age, concomitant carpal tunnel syndrome, receipt of wage replacement benefits prior to diagnosis, and longer diagnostic delays were associated with lower return to work potential after injury. Type of treatment (surgical or conservative care) was not associated with return to work. Among surgically treated workers, receipt of wage replacement before establishing a diagnosis was inversely associated with return to work in multivariate models that included clinical severity and electrodiagnostic criteria. Conclusion: Work-related UNE is a common and costly occupational health challenge. Efforts to accurately diagnose UNE and maximize functional recovery should start in the first medical encounter. Older workers, those who have concomitant carpal tunnel syndrome, or who are already receiving wage replacement benefits at the time of diagnosis deserve special attention. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Age Factors Musculoskeletal System Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Age Factors Author Keywords: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Neuropathy Population-based Return To Work Ulnar Neuropathy At The Elbow Upper Extremities Workers' Compensation Workers Compensation
• ISSN:
  0271-3586
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Michigan ; OSHA Region 10 ; OSHA Region 5 ; Washington
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  53
• Issue:
  12
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20056708
• Citation:
  Am J Ind Med 2010 Dec; 53(12):1242-1251
• Contact Point Address:
  Sham Maghout Juratli, 30480 Stonegate Drive, Franklin, MI 48025
• Email:
  sham.m.juratli@gmail.com
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2011
• Performing Organization:
  University of Washington
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20050701
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Industrial Medicine
• End Date:
  20250630
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:3ae2d0f7077366c3801c52ff91ddffbfc5c1cbe240b79ed227473b9ebcb7fea3f80c4b4703989421c8e243dd99ec98f1029480e9d258d7b746065f4fcde23767
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/214260/cdc_214260_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 110.73 KB ]