OBJECTIVE: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) represents one of the most significant and costly health problems occurring in the working population. An estimation of the potential impact of CTS prevention programs in the workplace would be useful for public policy. The aim of this study was to assess the work-related population-attributable fraction (PAF) of CTS in industrial sectors and occupational categories at high risk of CTS in the general population. METHODS: All cases of CTS occurring in patients living in a French region were included prospectively between 2002-2004. Using a mailed questionnaire, we gathered medical and occupational history from 815 women and 320 men. We calculated the age-adjusted relative risks and PAF of CTS in relation to industrial sectors and occupational categories. RESULTS: The PAF for women was higher in lower-grade, white-collar workers (24%, 95% CI 19-29) than blue-collar workers (19%, 95% CI 15-22). The PAF was higher for the service industries sector (16%, 95% CI 8-22) than manufacturing (10%, 95% CI 7-13) or agricultural (5%, 95% CI 3-7) sectors. The PAF was high for men in blue-collar workers (50%, 95% CI 41-57) and in the construction (13%, 95% CI 9-18) and manufacturing industries (17%, 95% CI 10-23). CONCLUSION: The study suggested that 5-50% of CTS cases might be avoided in the whole population if totally effective intervention programs were implemented in specific occupational categories or industrial sectors.
OBJECTIVE:Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) represents one of the most significant and costly health problems occurring in the working population. An estimation of the potential impact of CTS prevention programs in the workplace would be useful for public policy. The aim of this study was to assess the work-related population-attributable fraction (PAF) of CTS in industrial sectors and occupational categories at high risk of CTS in the general population. METHODS: All cases of CTS occurring in patients living in a French region were included prospectively between 2002-2004. Using a mailed questionnaire, we gathered medical and occupational history from 815 women and 320 men. We calculated the age-adjusted relative risks and PAF of CTS in relation to industrial sectors and occupational categories. RESULTS: The PAF for women was higher in lower-grade, white-collar workers (24%, 95% CI 19-29) than blue-collar workers (19%, 95% CI 15-22). The PAF was higher for the service industries sector (16%, 95% CI 8-22) than manufacturing (10%, 95% CI 7-13) or agricultural (5%, 95% CI 3-7) sectors. The PAF was high for men in blue-collar workers (50%, 95% CI 41-57) and in the construction (13%, 95% CI 9-18) and manufacturing industries (17%, 95% CI 10-23). CONCLUSION: The study suggested that 5-50% of CTS cases might be avoided in the whole population if totally effective intervention programs were implemented in specific occupational categories or industrial sectors.
Authors: C K Jablecki; M T Andary; M K Floeter; R G Miller; C A Quartly; M J Vennix; J R Wilson Journal: Neurology Date: 2002-06-11 Impact factor: 9.910
Authors: D Rempel; B Evanoff; P C Amadio; M de Krom; G Franklin; A Franzblau; R Gray; F Gerr; M Hagberg; T Hales; J N Katz; G Pransky Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 1998-10 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: Y Roquelaure; S Mechali; C Dano; S Fanello; F Benetti; D Bureau; J Mariel; Y H Martin; F Derriennic; D Penneau-Fontbonne Journal: Scand J Work Environ Health Date: 1997-10 Impact factor: 5.024
Authors: Ann Marie Dale; Bethany T Gardner; Angelique Zeringue; Jaime Strickland; Alexis Descatha; Alfred Franzblau; Bradley A Evanoff Journal: Am J Ind Med Date: 2014-09-15 Impact factor: 2.214
Authors: Andrea Farioli; Stefania Curti; Roberta Bonfiglioli; Alberto Baldasseroni; Giovanna Spatari; Stefano Mattioli; Francesco Saverio Violante Journal: Ann Work Expo Health Date: 2018-04-18 Impact factor: 2.179