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. 2005 Oct;48(4):259-69.
doi: 10.1002/ajim.20203.

Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in Washington State workers' compensation: temporal trends, clinical practices, and disability

William E Daniell  1 , Deborah Fulton-Kehoe, Lisa A Chiou, Gary M Franklin
Affiliations

Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in Washington State workers' compensation: temporal trends, clinical practices, and disability

William E Daniell et al. Am J Ind Med. 2005 Oct.

Abstract

Background: Work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a leading cause of disability. There is a need for information about temporal trends, clinical practices, and treatment outcomes.

Methods: A population based, retrospective cohort study of Washington State workers' compensation claims for CTS was initiated focusing on claims filed during 1990-1994, followed through 2000 (n = 16,710).

Results: Half of the claims were filed for conditions other than CTS, but were eventually identified to be or include CTS. The first CTS diagnosis occurred more than 3 months after claim filing in 20% of claims. The longer that the CTS diagnosis occurred after claim filing, the more likely that CTS was accompanied by other problems, and disability tended to be longer.

Conclusions: Making an accurate diagnosis of CTS and initiating appropriate actions earlier than might otherwise occur could reduce the disability and costs in a large fraction of claims that are ultimately determined to involve CTS.

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