Distribution of age, gender, and occupation among individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome based on the National Health Insurance data and National Employment Insurance data

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to investigate the basic characteristics of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and its differences between occupations using Korea's National Health Insurance (NHI) and National Employment Insurance (NEI). Methods: The study participants were obtained from the NEI and NHI data from 2008 to 2015, with a diagnosis code of G560 (CTS) as the main or sub-diagnosis. Data about gender, age, diabetes mellitus, smoking, drinking, and length of employment, information about type of occupation, and number of employees according to age and occupation were obtained from NHI and NEI data. In total, 240 occupations were classified into blue-collar (BC) and white-collar (WC) work. In addition, each occupation was classified as high-risk and low-risk groups depending on the degree of wrist usage. Results: The number of patients with CTS per 100,000 individuals increased with advancing age, and it was higher in women (4,572.2) than in men (1,798.5). Furthermore, the number was higher in BC workers (3,247.5) than in WC workers (1,824.1) as well as in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group in both BC workers (3,527.8 vs. 1,908.2) and WC workers (1,829.9 vs. 1,754.4). The number of patients with CTS was higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group among male and female BC workers and female WC workers. However, the number was higher in the low-risk group among male WC workers. In the BC category, the number of patients with CTS was highest among food processing-related workers (19,984.5). In the WC category, the number of patients with CTS was highest among social workers and counselors (7,444.1). Conclusions: The results of this study are expected to help identify occupational differences in patterns of CTS. High number of patients with CTS was seen in new jobs, as well as in previous studies.

Blocking CTGF/CCN2 reverses neural fibrosis and sensorimotor declines in a rat model of overuse‐induced median mononeuropathy

“…These studies and others indicate that occupational tasks characterized by prolonged repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist, such as prolonged repetitive forceful gripping or work with flexed or extended wrists, are strongly associated with an increased risk for development of this type of median mononeuropathy 7 . This musculoskeletal disorder is highly prevalent among workers worldwide, with an incidence rate of ∼6.3 per 10 000 full‐time equivalence 6 …”

“…There is an increasing body of evidence linking fibrotic median mononeuropathy and occupational activities 6,7 . These studies and others indicate that occupational tasks characterized by prolonged repetitive and forceful movements of the hand and wrist, such as prolonged repetitive forceful gripping or work with flexed or extended wrists, are strongly associated with an increased risk for development of this type of median mononeuropathy 7 .…”

“…7 This musculoskeletal disorder is highly prevalent among workers worldwide, with an incidence rate of ∼6.3 per 10 000 full-time equivalence. 6 Treatments for median mononeuropathy range from rest, splinting, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, and corticosteroid drug (all conservative treatments) to surgical release interventions. Surgical release provides the most effective long-term outcome, but fails in 8% to 25% of patients.…”

Prevalence and risk factors of self-reported wrist and hand symptoms and clinically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome among office workers in China: a cross-sectional study

“…Wrist and hand musculoskeletal complaints affected over 15% of occupational groups including office workers, nurses, and others [ 16 ]. Office work-related CTS prevalence has been reported to range from nearly 5000 to 7500 per 100,000 individuals [ 19 ]. The wrist and hand symptoms are associated with physical factors such as repetitive use of the hands, inappropriate posture during computer work, and lengthy exposure to visual display terminals (VDT) including computer, keyboard, and mouse [ 3 , 6 , 8 , 20 , 21 ].…”

“…While many studies from different countries have looked at WMSDs in office workers [ 16 , 17 , 19 ], little is known about its current status among the Chinese office workers. According to the National Bureau of Statistics of China, over 3 billion employees have been working in office settings in different sectors nationwide [ 23 ].…”