Prevalence and incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome in US working populations: pooled analysis of six prospective studies

• DOI: 10.5271/sjweh.3351
• Publication Date: 2013-02-19T17:39:28Z
• Authors: Ann Marie Dale; Carisa Harris-Ada...; David Rempel; Fred Gerr; Kurt Hegmann; Barbara Silverstein; Susan Burt; Arun Garg; Jay Kapellusch; Linda Merlino; Matthew S Thiese; Ellen A Eisen; Bradley Evanoff
• Keywords: Etiology

Objectives Most studies of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) incidence and prevalence among workers have been limited by small sample sizes or restricted to a subset jobs. We established common CTS case definition then pooled data across six prospective musculoskeletal outcomes measure frequency allow better etiology. Methods Six research groups collected at >50 workplaces including symptoms characteristic electrodiagnostic (EDS) the median ulnar nerves dominant wrist. While study designs timing collection varied groups, we were able create incorporating both EDS results from that in all studies. Results At time enrollment, 7.8% 4321 subjects met our considered prevalent cases CTS. During 8833 person-years follow-up, an additional 204 for overall rate 2.3 per 100 person-years. Conclusions Both incident multiple sites. The large number this provides adequate power future exposure–response analyses identify work- non-work-related risk factors nature allows determination temporal relations necessary causal inference.