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Long‐term symptomatic, functional, and work outcomes of carpal tunnel syndrome among construction workers
Author(s) -
Evanoff Bradley,
Gardner Bethany T.,
Strickland Jaime R.,
BucknerPetty Skye,
Franzblau Alfred,
Dale Ann Marie
Publication year - 2016
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.22564
Subject(s) - medicine , carpal tunnel syndrome , workers' compensation , occupational safety and health , term (time) , physical therapy , human factors and ergonomics , occupational medicine , poison control , surgery , medical emergency , compensation (psychology) , pathology , psychology , psychoanalysis , physics , quantum mechanics
Background The long‐term outcomes of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) including symptoms, functional status, work disability, and economic impact are unknown. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 234 active construction workers with medical claims for CTS and 249 workers without CTS claims; non‐cases were matched on age, trade, and insurance eligibility. We conducted telephone interviews with cases and non‐cases and collected administrative data on work hours. Results Compared to non‐cases, CTS cases were more likely to report recurrent hand symptoms, decreased work productivity/quality, decreased performance of physical work demands, and greater functional limitations. Surgical cases showed larger improvements on multiple outcomes than non‐surgical cases. Minimal differences in paid work hours were seen between cases and non‐cases in the years preceding and following CTS claims. Conclusions Persistent symptoms and functional impairments were present several years after CTS diagnosis. Long‐term functional limitations shown by this and other studies indicate the need for improved prevention and treatment. Am. J. Ind. Med. 59:357–368, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.