[Professional absenteeism and surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome. Results of a prospective series of 233 patients].
OBJECTIVE
The aim of our work was to evaluate the influence of the type of patient's insurance ant the return to work interval after carpal tunnel release.


METHODS
An prospective analysis of 233 patients (18-65 years old, full time workers) undergoing a carpal tunnel release between January and June 1998 was conducted to determine the interval between surgery and return to work. For statistical analysis we used the Ms Works and Status software package. The mean return-to-work intervals were determined for the following and compared for three groups. Group 1: independent worker, n = 87; group 2: wage earner, n = 90; group 3: civil servant, n = 56; and 4 others subgroups: manual workers, n = 164; non manual workers, n = 69; patients with social security insurance, n = 191; patients with workers compensation, n = 42.


RESULTS
For the patients in group 1 the average return to work was 17 days (11 days for non manual workers, 29 days for manual workers). In group 2, the average was 35 days (21 days for non manual workers, 42 for manual workers). In group 3 the average was 56 days (49 days for non manual workers and 63 days for manual workers). The statistical analysis showed the civil servant took significantly longer to return to work than independent workers or wage earner (p < 0.05). The work related patients took significantly longer than patients covered by social security. The effect of occupational han (manual versus non manual) use was clear in the group 1 and 2, but there was no difference in the group 3.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study of 233 patients demonstrated significant difference between independent workers, wage earners, and civil servants in term of return-to-work intervals. In comparing manual and non manual workers, we found a significant difference in group 1 and 2, but in civil servants group non difference were found. We cannot explain these findings on medical grounds.
Chaise
F
F
Unité de chirurgie de la main, clinique Jeanne d'Arc, 21, rue des Martyrs, 44100 Nantes, France.
Bellemère
P
P
Friol
J P
JP
Gaisne
E
E
Poirier
P
P
Menadi
A
A
D000041:Absenteeism; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009790:Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012456:Salaries and Fringe Benefits / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012943:Social Security; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors