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Carpal tunnel syndrome in male visual display terminal (VDT) workers.
Am J Ind Med. 2007 Jan; 50(1):1-7.AJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND

The association between working at a video display terminal (VDT) and development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not well-established. The study surveyed the prevalence of CTS symptoms, explored the risk factors and evaluated the clinical application of hand diagrams, physical tests and electrodiagnosis among male VDT workers.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was performed in an information and communication technology company. Three-forty questionnaires were completed and 82 volunteers participated in the physical examination and nerve conduction study. The personal and occupational risk factors for CTS were analyzed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of CTS symptoms was 3.8% among 340 subjects, while prolonged median motor distal latency (>4.2 msec) was disclosed in 3.7% of a subgroup receiving examination. Classic/probable CTS symptoms was associated with high body mass index (>28 kg/m(2), odds ratio = 4.1, P = 0.029) and moderate job seniority (3-5 years, odds ratio = 4.6, P = 0.023). Prolonged median motor distal latency was associated with older age (>35 years old). We did not observe correlation between CTS symptoms, abnormal NCS, positive Tinel's sign or Phalen's test.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of CTS symptoms was not high among the group of male VDT workers studied. Job seniority, but not specific tasks, was associated with CTS symptoms. More reliable and valid methods to quantify the ergonomic exposure are needed to establish the association of VDT tasks and CTS.

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Authors+Show Affiliations

Hou WH
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, E-Da Hospital and I-Shou University, Taipei, Taiwan.
Hsu JH
No affiliation info available
Lin CH
No affiliation info available
Liang HW
No affiliation info available

MeSH

AdultCarpal Tunnel SyndromeComputer TerminalsCross-Sectional StudiesHumansLogistic ModelsMaleMedian NerveMultivariate AnalysisNeural ConductionOccupational DiseasesPhysical ExaminationPrevalenceReaction TimeRisk FactorsTaiwanUlnar Nerve

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

17154409

Citation

Hou, Wen-Hsuan, et al. "Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Male Visual Display Terminal (VDT) Workers." American Journal of Industrial Medicine, vol. 50, no. 1, 2007, pp. 1-7.
Hou WH, Hsu JH, Lin CH, et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome in male visual display terminal (VDT) workers. Am J Ind Med. 2007;50(1):1-7.
Hou, W. H., Hsu, J. H., Lin, C. H., & Liang, H. W. (2007). Carpal tunnel syndrome in male visual display terminal (VDT) workers. American Journal of Industrial Medicine, 50(1), 1-7.
Hou WH, et al. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Male Visual Display Terminal (VDT) Workers. Am J Ind Med. 2007;50(1):1-7. PubMed PMID: 17154409.
* Article titles in AMA citation format should be in sentence-case
TY - JOUR T1 - Carpal tunnel syndrome in male visual display terminal (VDT) workers. AU - Hou,Wen-Hsuan, AU - Hsu,Jin-Huei, AU - Lin,Ching-Hua, AU - Liang,Huey-Wen, PY - 2006/12/13/pubmed PY - 2007/2/22/medline PY - 2006/12/13/entrez SP - 1 EP - 7 JF - American journal of industrial medicine JO - Am J Ind Med VL - 50 IS - 1 N2 - BACKGROUND: The association between working at a video display terminal (VDT) and development of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not well-established. The study surveyed the prevalence of CTS symptoms, explored the risk factors and evaluated the clinical application of hand diagrams, physical tests and electrodiagnosis among male VDT workers. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in an information and communication technology company. Three-forty questionnaires were completed and 82 volunteers participated in the physical examination and nerve conduction study. The personal and occupational risk factors for CTS were analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of CTS symptoms was 3.8% among 340 subjects, while prolonged median motor distal latency (>4.2 msec) was disclosed in 3.7% of a subgroup receiving examination. Classic/probable CTS symptoms was associated with high body mass index (>28 kg/m(2), odds ratio = 4.1, P = 0.029) and moderate job seniority (3-5 years, odds ratio = 4.6, P = 0.023). Prolonged median motor distal latency was associated with older age (>35 years old). We did not observe correlation between CTS symptoms, abnormal NCS, positive Tinel's sign or Phalen's test. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of CTS symptoms was not high among the group of male VDT workers studied. Job seniority, but not specific tasks, was associated with CTS symptoms. More reliable and valid methods to quantify the ergonomic exposure are needed to establish the association of VDT tasks and CTS. SN - 0271-3586 UR - https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/17154409/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome_in_male_visual_display_terminal__VDT__workers_ L2 - https://doi.org/10.1002/ajim.20396 DB - PRIME DP - Unbound Medicine ER -