OBJECTIVES: Rates of surgically treated carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among blue- and white-collar workers and housewives in the general population were compared. METHODS: Surgically treated cases of idiopathic CTS were investigated among 25-59-year-old residents of Tuscany, Italy, during 1997-2000, based on obligatory discharge records from all Italian public/private hospitals, archived according to residence on Tuscany's regional database. Population data were extracted from the 2001 census. RESULTS: After excluding repeat admissions, 8801 eligible cases were identified. Age-standardised rates (per 100 000 person-years) of surgical CTS were: "blue-collar women", 367.8; "white-collar women", 88.1; "housewives", 334.5; "blue-collar men", 73.5; and "white-collar men", 15.3. Compared with reference categories (same-sex white-collar workers): female blue-collar workers experienced a 4.2-fold higher standardised rate; housewives, a 3.8-fold excess; and male blue-collar workers, a 4.8-fold excess (all p<0.001). Male and female blue-collar workers showed approximately three to sevenfold higher age-specific rates compared to their white-collar counterparts (all p<0.001). Housewives' rates were similar to those of blue-collar female workers up to 40-44 years of age, after which they were significantly lower (p<0.002). At all ages, housewives' rates were much higher (p<0.001) than those of white-collar women. CONCLUSIONS: Surgically treated CTS was three to seven times more common (depending on age/gender) in blue-collar than in white-collar workers, which is difficult to explain by differences in body weight or other individual factors. Thus, occupational risk factors seem relevant throughout working life. The high rates for full-time housewives suggest that domestic chores should be investigated as a possible risk factor for CTS.

Mattioli S., Baldasseroni A., Curti S., Cooke R.M., Mandes A., Zanardi F., et al. (2009). Incidence rates of surgically treated idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome in blue- and white-collar workers and housewives in Tuscany, Italy. OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE, 66, 299-304 [10.1136/oem.2008.040212].

Incidence rates of surgically treated idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome in blue- and white-collar workers and housewives in Tuscany, Italy.

MATTIOLI, STEFANO;CURTI, STEFANIA;ZANARDI, FRANCESCA;FARIOLI, ANDREA;VIOLANTE, FRANCESCO SAVERIO
2009

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Rates of surgically treated carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among blue- and white-collar workers and housewives in the general population were compared. METHODS: Surgically treated cases of idiopathic CTS were investigated among 25-59-year-old residents of Tuscany, Italy, during 1997-2000, based on obligatory discharge records from all Italian public/private hospitals, archived according to residence on Tuscany's regional database. Population data were extracted from the 2001 census. RESULTS: After excluding repeat admissions, 8801 eligible cases were identified. Age-standardised rates (per 100 000 person-years) of surgical CTS were: "blue-collar women", 367.8; "white-collar women", 88.1; "housewives", 334.5; "blue-collar men", 73.5; and "white-collar men", 15.3. Compared with reference categories (same-sex white-collar workers): female blue-collar workers experienced a 4.2-fold higher standardised rate; housewives, a 3.8-fold excess; and male blue-collar workers, a 4.8-fold excess (all p<0.001). Male and female blue-collar workers showed approximately three to sevenfold higher age-specific rates compared to their white-collar counterparts (all p<0.001). Housewives' rates were similar to those of blue-collar female workers up to 40-44 years of age, after which they were significantly lower (p<0.002). At all ages, housewives' rates were much higher (p<0.001) than those of white-collar women. CONCLUSIONS: Surgically treated CTS was three to seven times more common (depending on age/gender) in blue-collar than in white-collar workers, which is difficult to explain by differences in body weight or other individual factors. Thus, occupational risk factors seem relevant throughout working life. The high rates for full-time housewives suggest that domestic chores should be investigated as a possible risk factor for CTS.
2009
Mattioli S., Baldasseroni A., Curti S., Cooke R.M., Mandes A., Zanardi F., et al. (2009). Incidence rates of surgically treated idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome in blue- and white-collar workers and housewives in Tuscany, Italy. OCCUPATIONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL MEDICINE, 66, 299-304 [10.1136/oem.2008.040212].
Mattioli S.; Baldasseroni A.; Curti S.; Cooke R.M.; Mandes A.; Zanardi F.; Farioli A.; Buiatti E.; Campo G.; Violante F.S.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11585/79708
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