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Surveillance of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in Massachusetts, 1992-1997: a report from the Massachusetts Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR).
Am J Ind Med. 2001 Jan; 39(1):58-71.AJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND

This surveillance study was undertaken to target efforts to prevent work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (WR-CTS) and to assess physician case-reports as a source of surveillance data.

METHODS

Physician case-reports and workers' compensation disability claims were used to document patterns of WR-CTS in Massachusetts from March 1992 to June 1997 by age, gender, industry, occupation, and calendar year. Characteristics of cases identified through the two data sources were compared.

RESULTS

4,836 cases of WR-CTS were ascertained; 6% were identified by both data sources. Whereas the two sets of cases were similar with respect to age and occupation categories, physician-reported cases were more likely male and employed in manufacturing. The number of compensation claims filed by women declined over time, and a substantial number of cases under age 25 years were identified. Manufacturing workers had the highest rates; the highest numbers of cases were employed in hospitals, grocery stores, and the insurance industry. Several technical/administrative support occupations likely to use video display terminals had both high rates and frequencies.

CONCLUSION

WR-CTS is a significant public health problem. Physician reports are useful in understanding problem magnitude and targeting specific establishments for intervention but are currently of limited use in targeting specific industries and occupations.

Authors+Show Affiliations

Davis L
Occupational Health Surveillance Program, Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts 02108, USA. letitia.davis@state.ma.us
Wellman H
No affiliation info available
Punnett L
No affiliation info available

MeSH

Administrative PersonnelAdultAge FactorsAgedCarpal Tunnel SyndromeComputer TerminalsDisease NotificationFemaleFood IndustryHumansIndustryInsuranceMaleMassachusettsMedical RecordsMiddle AgedOccupational DiseasesPersonnel, HospitalPopulation SurveillancePublic HealthRisk FactorsSex FactorsTime FactorsWorkers' Compensation

Pub Type(s)

Comparative Study
Journal Article
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Language

eng

PubMed ID

11148016

Citation

Davis, L, et al. "Surveillance of Work-related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Massachusetts, 1992-1997: a Report From the Massachusetts Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR)." American Journal of Industrial Medicine, vol. 39, no. 1, 2001, pp. 58-71.
Davis L, Wellman H, Punnett L. Surveillance of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in Massachusetts, 1992-1997: a report from the Massachusetts Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR). Am J Ind Med. 2001;39(1):58-71.
Davis, L., Wellman, H., & Punnett, L. (2001). Surveillance of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in Massachusetts, 1992-1997: a report from the Massachusetts Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR). American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 39(1), 58-71.
Davis L, Wellman H, Punnett L. Surveillance of Work-related Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Massachusetts, 1992-1997: a Report From the Massachusetts Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR). Am J Ind Med. 2001;39(1):58-71. PubMed PMID: 11148016.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Surveillance of work-related carpal tunnel syndrome in Massachusetts, 1992-1997: a report from the Massachusetts Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks (SENSOR). AU - Davis,L, AU - Wellman,H, AU - Punnett,L, PY - 2001/1/9/pubmed PY - 2001/3/3/medline PY - 2001/1/9/entrez SP - 58 EP - 71 JF - American journal of industrial medicine JO - Am J Ind Med VL - 39 IS - 1 N2 - BACKGROUND: This surveillance study was undertaken to target efforts to prevent work-related carpal tunnel syndrome (WR-CTS) and to assess physician case-reports as a source of surveillance data. METHODS: Physician case-reports and workers' compensation disability claims were used to document patterns of WR-CTS in Massachusetts from March 1992 to June 1997 by age, gender, industry, occupation, and calendar year. Characteristics of cases identified through the two data sources were compared. RESULTS: 4,836 cases of WR-CTS were ascertained; 6% were identified by both data sources. Whereas the two sets of cases were similar with respect to age and occupation categories, physician-reported cases were more likely male and employed in manufacturing. The number of compensation claims filed by women declined over time, and a substantial number of cases under age 25 years were identified. Manufacturing workers had the highest rates; the highest numbers of cases were employed in hospitals, grocery stores, and the insurance industry. Several technical/administrative support occupations likely to use video display terminals had both high rates and frequencies. CONCLUSION: WR-CTS is a significant public health problem. Physician reports are useful in understanding problem magnitude and targeting specific establishments for intervention but are currently of limited use in targeting specific industries and occupations. SN - 0271-3586 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/11148016/Surveillance_of_work_related_carpal_tunnel_syndrome_in_Massachusetts_1992_1997:_a_report_from_the_Massachusetts_Sentinel_Event_Notification_System_for_Occupational_Risks__SENSOR__ DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -