title: Socioeconomic deprivation and the epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: Deprivation has been recognized as a major determinant of health and is associated with several musculoskeletal conditions. This study examines the effect of deprivation on the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome using a regional prospective audit database. Over a 6 year period there were 1564 patients diagnosed with CTS with an annual incidence of 72/100,000 population. There was a significant difference in population incidence of CTS from the most deprived (81/100,000) to the least deprived (62/100,000) (p = 0.003). Functional impairment was higher in the most deprived group compared with the least (DASH 56 vs 48, p = 0.001). The most deprived group exhibited the greatest exposure to occupation vibration (42.7%), and had the greatest risk of bilateral disease (OR = 2.33, p < 0.001). We report an association between socioeconomic deprivation and carpal tunnel syndrome, with the disease being more likely to be bilateral and have a poorer DASH score in the most deprived patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Queen Margaret Hospital, Whitefield Road, Dunfermline, UK. paul@jenkinsnet.org.uk
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Jenkins
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Watts
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Duckworth
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: McEachan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D006113:United Kingdom; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult