title: Self-reported physical work exposures and incident carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To prospectively evaluate associations between self-reported physical work exposures and incident carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Newly employed workers (n = 1,107) underwent repeated nerve conduction studies (NCS), and periodic surveys on hand symptoms and physical work exposures including average daily duration of wrist bending, forearm rotation, finger pinching, using vibrating tools, finger/thumb pressing, forceful gripping, and lifting >2 pounds. Multiple logistic regression models examined relationships between peak, most recent, and time-weighted average exposures and incident CTS, adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index.
  
  
  RESULTS
  710 subjects (64.1%) completed follow-up NCS; 31 incident cases of CTS occurred over 3-year follow-up. All models describing lifting or forceful gripping exposures predicted future CTS. Vibrating tool use was predictive in some models.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Self-reported exposures showed consistent risks across different exposure models in this prospective study. Workers' self-reported job demands can provide useful information for targeting work interventions.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Medical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
authors.forename: Ann Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Dale
authors.forename: Bethany T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.forename: Angelique
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeringue
authors.forename: Jaime
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Strickland
authors.forename: Alexis
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Descatha
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franzblau
authors.forename: Bradley A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Evanoff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D017770:Lifting / Q000009:adverse effects; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D009068:Movement; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D057566:Self Report; D014732:Vibration / Q000009:adverse effects; D014953:Wrist; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; longitudinal studies; occupational health; physical work exposures; prospective; self-report