Manufacturing Workers Have a Higher Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: It is unclear whether clerical or labor-type work is more associated with risk for developing work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (WrCTS). Methods: National employment, demographic, and injury data were examined from the Bureau of Labor Statistics databases for the years 2003 to 2018. Injuries for clerical and labor industries were compared using linear regression, two-group t test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) analysis. Results: WrCTS injuries are decreasing over time (B = –1002.62, P < 0.001). The labor industry demonstrated a significantly higher incidence of WrCTS when compared with the clerical industries (P < 0.001). Within labor industries, the manufacturing industry had the highest incidence of WrCTS over time (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study showed WrCTS injuries have declined over time. Additionally, our findings may suggest that the labor industry has a stronger association with WrCTS than the clerical industry.

Carpal tunnel syndrome among Manitoba workers: Results from the Manitoba Occupational Disease Surveillance System

“…Occupational factors such as high force and working in awkward positions while doing repetitive work and vibration have been associated with this condition. 8,11,14,26 Consistent with exposure to these factors, we found elevated risks of CTS in a variety of meat and processing poultry processing jobs, mining occupations, and manufacturing occupations. All of these occupations have been associated with increased risks of CTS.…”

Impact of Occupations and Hobbies on the Severity of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

“…Comparing the incidence of CTS in the clerical and labor industries, the labor industry had a significantly higher incidence of CTS ( P < 0.001), with the subset of manufacturing with the highest incidence ( P < 0.001) 16 . The prevalence of CTS is significantly higher in assembly line workers compared with nonassembly line employees 17 .…”

“…Comparing the incidence of CTS in the clerical and labor industries, the labor industry had a significantly higher incidence of CTS ( P < 0.001), with the subset of manufacturing with the highest incidence ( P < 0.001). 16 The prevalence of CTS is significantly higher in assembly line workers compared with nonassembly line employees. 17 Interestingly, a significant proportion of assembly line workers reported resolution of symptoms or had reverted to having normal NCS 2 years after a reduced work schedule.…”

“…Most studies highlighting the relationship between CTS and occupation focused on comprehensive review studies of numerous occupational categories, 1,6,8,9,14 while others analyzed claims data 2,15 or compared two particular industries to determine which one had a higher incidence of CTS. [16][17][18] The common theme that permeated all studies in the literature was the significant positive association between CTS and hand force, repetitive flexion and extension wrist movements, use of vibratory tools, and wrist posture. A significant association with dose-response patterns between clinically relevant CTS and increasing manual workload has been reported.…”

“…There were significant differences between the severity groups in duration of occupation (moderate/moderately severe = 20 years [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25], severe = 25 years [7-30], P = 0.052), age (moderate/ moderately severe = 51.7 years (12.3), severe = 60.3 years (13.3), P < 0.001), and having hobbies (moderate/moderately severe = 37/ 564 (6.6%), severe = 11/49 (22.4%), P < 0.001) (Table 5). Patients who had been employed a longer duration in their occupation, were older, and had hobbies were more likely to have severe CTS by NCS.…”