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A comparison of data sources for the surveillance of work‐related carpal tunnel syndrome in Massachusetts
Author(s) -
Davis Letitia,
Wellman Helen,
Hart James,
Cleary Robert,
Gardstein Betsey M.,
Sciuchetti Paul
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
american journal of industrial medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.7
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1097-0274
pISSN - 0271-3586
DOI - 10.1002/ajim.20052
Subject(s) - medicine , carpal tunnel syndrome , workforce , workers' compensation , environmental health , occupational safety and health , occupational medicine , work (physics) , intervention (counseling) , occupational injury , human factors and ergonomics , poison control , compensation (psychology) , occupational exposure , surgery , pathology , engineering , psychology , mechanical engineering , psychiatry , psychoanalysis , economics , economic growth
Background This study examined whether a state surveillance system for work‐related carpal tunnel syndrome (WR‐CTS) based on workers' compensation claims (Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks, SENSOR) and the Annual Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) identified the same industries, occupations, sources of injury, and populations for intervention. Methods Trends in counts, rates, and female/male ratios of WR‐CTS during 1994–1997, and age distributions were compared across three data sources: SENSOR, Massachusetts SOII, and National SOII. SENSOR and National SOII data on WR‐CTS were compared by industry, occupation, and injury source. Findings Due to small sample size and subsequent gaps in available information, state SOII data on WR‐CTS were of little use in identifying specific industries and occupations for intervention. SENSOR and National SOII data on the frequency of WR‐CTS cases identified many similar occupations and industries, and both surveillance systems pointed to computer use as a risk factor for WR‐CTS. Some high rate industries identified by SENSOR were not identified using National SOII rates even when national findings were restricted to take into account the distribution of the Massachusetts workforce. Conclusions Use of national SOII data on rates of WR‐CTS for identifying state industry priorities for WR‐CTS prevention should be undertaken with caution. Options for improving state SOII data and use of other state data systems should be pursued. Am. J. Ind. Med. 46:284–296, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.