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. 2005 Oct;47(10):1044-50.
doi: 10.1097/01.jom.0000171065.17288.a0.

Incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome among automobile assembly workers and assessment of risk factors

Robert A Werner  1 , Alfred Franzblau, Nancy Gell, Anne G Hartigan, Marissa Ebersole, Thomas J Armstrong
Affiliations

Incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome among automobile assembly workers and assessment of risk factors

Robert A Werner et al. J Occup Environ Med. 2005 Oct.

Abstract

Objectives: This study defined the incidence rate of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among active assembly workers and evaluated risk factors.

Methods: This study followed 189 automobile assembly workers over 1 year. Incident cases were defined as workers who had no current or prior history of CTS and were subsequently diagnosed with CTS by means of active surveillance during the study.

Results: The estimated annual incidence rate ranged from 1% to 10%, depending on the case definition. Significant predictors for CTS include a higher baseline median-ulnar peak latency difference, history of wrist/hand/finger tendonitis, history of diabetes, nonneutral wrist and elbow postures, and a lower self-reported social support.

Conclusions: This is similar to other prospective studies that demonstrate both ergonomic and medical history are independent risk factors for development of CTS.

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