title: Ulnar Neuropathy Among Active Workers Based Upon Hand Diagram Ratings.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Limited studies have estimated the prevalence of ulnar neuropathy (UN) in the workplace. Hand diagrams have been demonstrated to have a good sensitivity and specificity when attempting to identify patients with UN.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for UN among active workers based on results of a hand diagram, and to determine the reliability of hand diagram scoring.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven different industrial and clerical work sites.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 501 active workers were screened. Subjects completed a hand diagram and the Job Content Questionnaire, and had ergonomic assessment of their job. Each hand diagram was scored independently by 2 raters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Rating of the hand diagram for UN.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Interrater reliability of scoring the hand diagram for UN was very high. The estimated prevalence of UN was 3.6%. Suspected UN was associated with positioning of the elbow but not by contact stress at the elbow or force at the hand. Smokers had a lower prevalence, but smokers with suspected UN had higher-pack year histories. Workers with suspected UN had a greater sense of job insecurity and lower job satisfaction rating.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hand diagram rating has a high interrater reliability. Suspected UN has a relatively high prevalence among active workers in comparison to prior estimates of the prevalence of UN among the general population and is not strongly associated with ergonomic factors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Veterans Administration Health System, 2215 Fuller Rd. (117), Ann Arbor, MI 48105; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Michigan Health Systems, Ann Arbor, MI; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI; Center for Ergonomics, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI(∗). Electronic address: rawerner@umich.edu.
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Werner
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI(†).
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Franzblau
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Washington University, St. Louis, MO(‡).
authors.forename: Bradley
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Evanoff
authors.affiliation: Center for Ergonomics, College of Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI(§).
authors.forename: Sheryl
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ulin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D020424:Ulnar Neuropathies / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult