Body mass index as predictor of carpal tunnel syndrome among garment workers

Main Article Content

Lie T. Merijanti

Abstract

Of the nerve entrapment syndromes the most well-known is the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) involving the median nerve. In the field of occupational medicine this condition is categorized as an occupational disease, for which industrial workers may claim compensation if the CTS occurs as a consequence of their job. However, although several occupational risk factors have been suggested as causing the development of CTS, a definitive role of work activities as the central cause of CTS is unclear. The aim of the present study was to evaluate both non-occupational and occupational factors associated with CTS in garment home-industry workers. A cross-sectional study was performed from April to June 2008 in the garment home industry in North Jakarta. A total of 99 workers, consisting of 45 males and 54 females were included in this study. Historical data were obtained from a self-administered detailed questionnaire, while anthropometric and provocative median nerve test variables were measured directly. The results showed that body mass index (BMI) was a significant predictor of CTS in male workers (p=0.031), while the risk of CTS was three-fold higher in female workers using hormonal contraceptives (Prevalence Ratio/PR = 3.3 ; 95% Confidence of Interval/CI = 1.0 – 10.5). In conclusion it appears that BMI and hormonal contraceptive use were CTS predictors.

Article Details

How to Cite
Merijanti, L. T. (2016). Body mass index as predictor of carpal tunnel syndrome among garment workers. Universa Medicina, 28(3), 146–151. https://doi.org/10.18051/UnivMed.2009.v28.146-151
Section
Review Article

References

Burke FD, Ellis J, McKenna H, Bradley MJ. Primary care management of carpal tunnel syndrome. J Postgrad Med 2003;79:433-7.

Kao SY. Carpal tunnel syndrome as an occupational disease. J Am Board Fam Pract 2003;16:533-42.

Sperka P, Cherry N, Burnham R, Beach J. Impact of compensation on work outcome of carpal tunnel syndrome. Occup Med 2008;58:490-95.

Alberta Employment, Immigration and Industry. Occupational injuries and diseases in Alberta. Lost time claims, disabling injury claims and claim rates. Edmonton, Alberta: Government of Alberta;2007.

Van Rijn RM, Huisstede BMA, Koes BW, Burdof A. Association between work related factors and the carpal tunnel syndrome - a systematic review. Scand J Work Environ Health 2009;35:19-36.

Phalen GS. The carpal tunnel syndrome: 17 years experience in diagnosis and treatment of 654 hands. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1966;48:211-28. Cited by Kao SY. Carpal tunnel syndrome as an occupational disease. J Am Board Fam Pract 2003;16:533-42.

Maghsoudipour M, Moghimi S, Dehghaan F, Rahimpanah A. Association of occupational and non occupational risk factors with the prevalence of work related carpal tunnel syndrome. J Occup Rehabil 2008;18:152-6.

Sastroasmoro S. Dasar-dasar metodologi penelitian klinis. Edisi 2. Jakarta: CV Agung Seto;2002.

World Health Organization. Appropriate body mass index for Asian populations and its implications for policy and intervention strategis. Lancet 2004;363; 157-63.

Katz JN, Simmons BP. Carpal tunnel syndrome. N Engl J Med 2002;346:1807-12.

Lajoie AS, McCabe SJ, Thomas B, Edgell SE. Determining the sensitivity and specificity of common diagnostic testa for carpal tunnel syndrome using latent class analysis. Plast Reconstr Surg 2005; 116:502-7.

Scanlon A, Maffei J. Carpal tunnel syndrome. J Neuroscience Nursing 2009;41:140-7.

Nathan PA, Isthvan JA, Meadows KD. A longitudinal study of predictors of research defined carpal tunnel syndrome in industrial workers: findings at 17 years. J Hand Surg 2005;30:593-8.

Wellman H, Davis L, Punnet L. Work related carpal tunnel syndrome (WR-CTS) in Massachusetts 1992-1997: source of WR-CTS, outcomes, and employer intervention practices. AM J Ind Med 2004;45:139-52.

Palmer KT, Harris C, Coggnon D. Carpal tunnel syndrome and its relation to occupation: a systematic literature review. Occup Med 2007;57: 57-66.

Stapleton MJ. Occupation and carpal tunnel syndrome. ANZ J Surg 2006;76:494-6.

Katz JN, Simmons BP. Carpal tunnel syndrome. N Engl J Med 2002;346:1807-11.

Gedizlioglu M, Arpaci E, Cevher D, Ce P, Kulan CA, Colak I, et al. Carpal tunnel syndrome in Turkish steel industry. Occup Med 2008;58:212-4.

Cole DC, Ibrahim S, Shannon HS. Predictors of work-related repetitive strain injuries in a population cohort. Am J Pub Health 2005;95;1233-7.

Werner RA, Franzblau A, Gell N, Ulin SS, Armstrong TJ. A longitudinal study of industrial and clerical workers: predictors of upper extremity tendonitis. J Occup Rehabil 2005;15:37-46.

Geoghegan JM, Clark DI, Bainbridge LC, Smith C, Hubbard R. Risk factors in carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg Eur Vol 2004;29:315-20.

Solomon DH, Katz JN, Bahn R, Mogun H, Avorn J. Nonoccupational risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome. J Gen Intern Med 1999;14:310-4.

Ferry S, Hannafoed P, Warskyj M, Lewis M, Croft P. Carpal tunnel syndrome: A nested case-control study of risk factors in women. Am J Epidemiol 2000;151:566-74.

Toesca A, Pagnotta A, Zumbo A, Sadun R. Estrogen and progesterone receptors in carpal tunnel syndrome. Cell Biol Int 2008;32:75-9.