🚀 go-pugleaf

DOES WORK OR WEIGHT CAUSE CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME
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In a study of the cause of CTS in industry, median nerve conduction was
measured in both hands of 429 male and female workers in 1984.  In 1989
630 hands of 315 of the same workers were re-studied.  Body mass index
(BMI) was recorded on each occasion.

Obese workers (BMI>30) were 3.5 times and 4.2 times more likely to have
abnormal nerve conduction than slender workers (BMI 21 or less) in the
1984 and 1989 results respectively.

Using stepwise regression analysis to predict the 1989 results from the
1984 data, BMI was the first factor selected.  Not one of the 1984
job-related factors (industry, duration of employment or type of hand use)
was an independent predictor of 1989 nerve conduction abnormality.

Individual characteristics seem more likely than job factors to predispose
to carpal tunnel syndrome.

Nathan P Kensiton RC, Myers LD, Meadewski KD. Obesity as a risk factor for
slowing of sensory conduction of the median nerve in industry. Journal of
Occupational Medicine, 1992; 34(4): 379-383

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This was reported in the Occupational Health Newsletter, No 283, 1/10/92
and is certainly food for thought.  I would want to know more about
changes in work practices in the organisations surveyed.  Certainly in
Australia, the period 1984 - 1989 has seen massive work reorganisation and
almost total job redesign as a result of technological changes and
economic imperatives.

Cheers
John



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   _--_|\             John Lamp, originating in Hobart, Tasmania
  /      \                 Phone: 002 23 1366 - Fax: 002 34 5685
  \_.--._/                   email: u734120@bruny.cc.utas.edu.au
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