Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in meat and fish processing plants

Abstract

This study was carried out to survey the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a high-risk job. The experimental group was composed of 69 workers sampled from meat and fish processing plants, who were using their upper extremities repetitively. The control group was composed of 28 workers sampled from managers, secretaries and keepers in the same companies. All the employees were examined for their work history, their symptoms, as well as physical examinations and a nerve conduction study (NCS). Fifty-one (73.9%) workers in the experimental group had findings compatible to the NIOSH definition of Work-Related CTS. The positive rates for Tinel and Phalen's signs were higher in the workers who had shorter working duration (<7 yr), but the positive rate in the NCS was higher in the workers who had longer working duration (>/=7 yr). The prevalence of CTS in a meat and fish processing plant was much higher. Therefore this job should be managed as a high-risk industry.