Korean J Occup Environ Med.
1999 Sep;11(3):313-322.
An Evaluation for the Occupational Distribution of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Diagnosed at a University Hospital
- Affiliations
-
- 1Industrial Health Research Institute, Korea Industrial Safety Corporation, Korea.
- 2Department of Occupational Medicine, Inha University Hospital, Korea.
- 3Department of Catholic Industrial Medical Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The study was carried out to evaluate the work-relatedness and the occupational distribution in 147 carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) cases diagnosed at a university hospital from May 1996 to May 1998.
METHODS
We obtained the information on disease appearance, occupational history including job content and other life style by medical records and telephone interviews.
RESULTS
Of the 147 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, 51 patients(34.7 %) were shown to be work-related. Work-related CTS were most frequent in elementary workers (21 case, 41.2%). The other eases were 15(29.4%) workers in service and shop and market sales, 9(17.6%) workers in craft and related traders, 4(7.8%) workers in skilled agriculture and fishery. Only two workers had claimed to the Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance, but no one has been admitted as an occupational CTS yet.
CONCLUSIONS
It is suggested that arrangements of surveillance system for adequate control of occupational CTD is neccessity.