title: Carpal tunnel syndrome in manual tea harvesters.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to present the physiopathological and surgical aspects of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) related to manual tea harvesting based on nerve conduction studies and clinical scoring systems.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical and neurophysiological scores as well as clinical and occupational variables were statistically analyzed using Boston questionnaire, modified criteria of Italian CTS study group, and modified neurophysiologic grading system of Italian CTS study group in 56 agricultural laborers who underwent surgery due to severe CTS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant correlation was found among the clinical stages of the patients and age, working duration and duration of symptoms. There was a statistically significant relationship among neurophysiologic grades of the CTS in patients and the duration of symptoms and functional outcomes before and after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We concluded that manual tea harvesting might be an occupational risk factor for work-related CTS development. Surgical treatment of CTS among manual tea harvesters revealed satisfactory results.
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical Faculty of Trakya University, 22030 Edirne, Turkey. dr.mert@gmail.com
authors: Mert
authors: M
authors: Çiftdemir
authors: Cem
authors: C
authors: Çopuroğlu
authors: Mert
authors: M
authors: Özcan
authors: Leyla
authors: L
authors: Çavdar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013662:Tea
chemical_list: D013662:Tea