Journal List > Korean J Occup Environ Med > v.13(3) > 1126024

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Son, Jang, Kim, Hong, Jung, Kim, Lee, Ha, Kim, and Kim: Survey on the Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Simple Repetitive Workers Who Use Upper Extremities
Original Article

Korean Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine 2001; 13(3): 209-219.

Published online: 30 January 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.35371/kjoem.2001.13.3.209

Survey on the Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Simple Repetitive Workers Who Use Upper Extremities

Ji Eun Son, Tae Woon Jang, Yoon Kou Kim, Young Seoub Hong, Kap Yeol Jung, Dong Ill Kim, Kang Jin Lee, Nam Jin Ha, Sang Boum Kim, Joon Youn Kim

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Korea.

Health Screening Center, Gang-book Samsung Hospital, Korea.

Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Chon-Nam University Hospital, Korea.

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Korea.

Department of Preventive Medicine and Industrial Medicine Research Institute, College of Medicine, Dong-A University, Korea.

sonji7@netian.com

Copyright © 2001 The Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Medicine

Abstract

OBJECTIVES

This study was carried out to survey on the prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome(CTS) in high risk jobs(meat and fish processing plant and wood plant), by application of Nerve Conduction Study(NCS), a confirmatory diagnostic method.

METHODS

Experimental group was 69 workers sampled from meat and fish processing plants and 17 workers sampled from wood plants, who were simple, repetitive workers using upper extremities and control group was 28 workers sampled from managers, secretaries and keepers. All employees were examined through work history, physical examination and NCS.

RESULTS

18 workers(26.09%) in meat and fish processing plants, and 5 workers(29.41%) in wood plants had compatible findings to NIOSH diagnostic criteria for CTS. The experimental group had more symptoms(complaint of upper extremities, Visual Analogue Scale >or= 4(VAS: total 10 point)), signs(Tinel and Phalen test) and prevalence of CTS than control group ( p<0.05). The prevalence of symptoms and signs were higher in short term worke r s (<7 years), but the prevalence of CTS was higher in long term workers(>or=7 years).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of CTS in meat and fish processing plant and wood plant were 26.09% and 29.41% respectively. Authors propose that meat and fish processing and wood plants should be managed as a risk job category which were designated by OSHA in 1996.

Keywords: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Meat and fish processing plant, Wood plant, Nerve conduction study

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