The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms in female supermarket checkers.

A survey of supermarket checkers was undertaken early in 1986 to assess the prevalence of symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Following three mailings, 83% of the 1,345 checkers had responded. The analysis, which was restricted to female workers aged 18 to 49 years, showed an overall prevalence of self-reported CTS symptoms of 62.5%. Prevalence rates were related to use of laser scanners, age, years worked as a checker, and average number of hours worked per week. The findings were similar when more restrictive criteria of CTS symptoms were used. Use of estrogens was not positively related to reported CTS symptoms.