Carpal tunnel syndrome and its relation to occupation: a systematic literature review
Carpal tunnel syndrome and its relation to occupation: a systematic literature review
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.
carpal tunnel, classification, neuropathy, occupational risk factors
57-66
Palmer, Keith T.
0cfe63f0-1d33-40ff-ae8c-6c33601df850
Harris, E. Clare
3e4bd946-3f09-45a1-8725-d35e80dd7971
Coggon, David
2b43ce0a-cc61-4d86-b15d-794208ffa5d3
2 November 2007
Palmer, Keith T.
0cfe63f0-1d33-40ff-ae8c-6c33601df850
Harris, E. Clare
3e4bd946-3f09-45a1-8725-d35e80dd7971
Coggon, David
2b43ce0a-cc61-4d86-b15d-794208ffa5d3
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), .
(doi:10.1093/occmed/kql125).
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.
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Published date: 2 November 2007
Keywords:
carpal tunnel, classification, neuropathy, occupational risk factors
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Local EPrints ID: 62034
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/62034
ISSN: 0962-7480
PURE UUID: dff6234c-e3d6-4677-aa2f-e29575c12fb3
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Date deposited: 11 Sep 2008
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 02:53
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Author:
Keith T. Palmer
Author:
E. Clare Harris
Author:
David Coggon
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