Carpal tunnel syndrome and its relation to occupation: a systematic literature review
Palmer, Keith T., Harris, E. Clare and Coggon, David (2007) Carpal tunnel syndrome and its relation to occupation: a systematic literature review. Occupational Medicine, 57, (1), 57-66. (doi:10.1093/occmed/kql125).
Download
Full text not available from this repository.
Description/Abstract
Objectives To assess occupational risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), we conducted a systematic literature review.
Methods We identified relevant primary research from two major reviews in the 1990s and supplemented this material by a systematic search of the MEDLINE and EMBASE biomedical databases from the start of the electronic record to 1 January 2005. Reports were obtained and their bibliographies checked for other relevant publications. From each paper, we abstracted a standardized set of information on study populations, exposure contrasts and estimates of effect.
Results Altogether, we summarized 38 primary reports, with analyses based either on a comparison of job titles (22) or of physical activities in the job (13) or both (3). We found reasonable evidence that regular and prolonged use of hand-held vibratory tools increases the risk of CTS >2-fold and found substantial evidence for similar or even higher risks from prolonged and highly repetitious flexion and extension of the wrist, especially when allied with a forceful grip. The balance of evidence on keyboard and computer work did not indicate an important association with CTS.
Discussion Although the papers that we considered had limitations, a substantial and coherent body of evidence supports preventive policies aimed at avoiding highly repetitive wrist–hand work. There is a case for extending social security compensation for CTS in the United Kingdom to cover work of this kind.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| ISSNs: | 0962-7480 (print) |
| Related URLs: | |
| Keywords: | carpal tunnel, classification, neuropathy, occupational risk factors |
| Subjects: | R Medicine > RZ Other systems of medicine R Medicine |
| Divisions: | University Structure - Pre August 2011 > School of Medicine > Developmental Origins of Health and Disease University Structure - Pre August 2011 > School of Medicine > Community Clinical Sciences University Structure - Pre August 2011 > School of Medicine |
| Item ID: | 62034 |
| Date Deposited: | 11 Sep 2008 |
| Last Modified: | 23 Jul 2012 11:47 |
| Contributors: | Palmer, Keith T. (Author) Harris, E. Clare (Author) Coggon, David (Author) |
| Date: | 2 November 2007 |
| Status: | Published |
| URI: | http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/62034 |
Actions (login required)
 |
View Item |
