Prevalence Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among Butchers In Pakistan

Abstract

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is an ailment in which median nerve is trapped in carpal tunnel and as a result a person feels tingling, numbness, and weakness in the wrist joint. It is most caused when excessive pressure is applied on the wrist joint. Most of the professionals go through this condition because of the nature of their work. Hairdresser, dentists, and labourers are commonly affected by this condition. Objective: This study determines the prevalence of CTS among butchers in Pakistan. Methods: Butchers from different cities of Pakistan were selected to check out the prevalence of CTS. 400 butchers from different cities of Pakistan were selected. Observational study design was carried out and convenient sampling was used to collect the data. The butchers having the age of 20 to 40 years were included with having an experience of 3 years or more. All the butchers should use the manual instruments during the processing of meat. They were told about the purpose of our research and a consent form, personally designed CTS diagnosis questionnaire, Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTSQ) were filled by them. Functional limitations and symptoms severity of butchers with CTS were also assessed. Results: The prevalence of CTS among butchers in Pakistan was 10.3%. The butchers having age between 26-30 years had 46% cases of CTS among them. 21-25 years old butchers had 17% of affected butchers among them. According to experience, butchers having 3-5 years’ experience was the most affected among them. 34% butchers of 3-5 years’ experience were involved. There was moderate level of functional limitation in CTS affected butchers according to BCTSQ. Next thing was the symptom severity with moderate level of symptoms severity was present in butchers suffering from CTS. Conclusion: The prevalence of CTS among butchers in Pakistan was 10.3%. All the butchers suffering from CTS had moderate level of intensity of pain. There was a moderate level of functional limitation and symptoms severity related to CTS affected butchers.