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Impact of occupational variables in carpal tunnel syndrome
Author(s) -
Bekkelund S. I.,
PierreJerome C.,
Torbergsen T.,
Ingebrigtsen T.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0404.2001.103003193.x
Subject(s) - carpal tunnel syndrome , medicine , sick leave , physical therapy , occupational disease , population , occupational medicine , surgery , occupational exposure , emergency medicine , environmental health
Objective– We studied the impact of work‐related factors on the outcome in patients operated for carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods – The population consisted of 106 CTS patients who worked at the time of operation. We registered social and occupational data from the patients. Results – Median time of sick leave was 7 weeks for the total group. Sixty‐four percent reported a relationship between their work and the disease. Eighty‐nine percent of the operated patients returned to their previous work after operation. Conclusions – A majority of the patients attributed the CTS‐related symptoms to their occupation. Work‐related factors may therefore be one possible explanation for the socioeconomical consequences of CTS. A permanent drop‐out from work in more than 1 out of 10 patients after CTS treatment indicate that CTS form a substantial socioeconomical burden in the society.