Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among employees at a poultry processing plant

• Published in: Applied ergonomics 2014-11, Vol.45 (6), p.1377-1383
• Main Authors: Musolin, Kristin, Ramsey, Jessica G., Wassell, James T., Hard, David L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Animals; Applied physiology; Biological and medical sciences; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - epidemiology; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - etiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Ergonomics; Ergonomics. Human factors; Ergonomics. Work place. Occupational physiology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Human physiology applied to population studies and life conditions. Human ecophysiology; Humans; Industrial plants; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Occupation; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Occupational health; Occupational medicine; Occupational psychology; Poultry; Poultry processing; Poultry Products; Prevalence; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Public health. Hygiene-occupational medicine; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Task Performance and Analysis; United States - epidemiology
• ISSN: 0003-6870; 1872-9126
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apergo.2014.03.005

To determine prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among poultry processing employees while taking into account non-occupational factors and assess any association between CTS prevalence and exposure groups. Performed a cross-sectional survey to assess CTS (n = 318). A CTS case was defined as an employee with self-reported CTS symptoms, an abnormal hand symptom diagram, and an abnormal nerve conduction study (NCS). Log-binomial regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios. Three hundred and one participants had sufficient symptom information or NCS data to be classified. 126 (42%) of 301 participants had evidence of CTS. In the adjusted analysis, the highest exposure group had CTS prevalence that was significantly higher than that for the lower exposure group [PR: 1.61; 95% CI = (1.20, 2.17)]. Increasing levels of hand activity and force were associated with increased CTS prevalence among participants. Recommendations were provided to reduce exposure to these risk factors. •This cross-sectional evaluation offers detailed exposure measures of each participant.•A multipart case definition that included nerve conduction testing was utilized.•Increasing levels of hand activity and force were associated with increased CTS prevalence among participants.•This evaluation demonstrates the need to reduce employee exposure to levels of hand activity and force.