High frequency of carpal tunnel syndrome and associated factors: A cross-sectional study in Peruvian workers from agro-export industry

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a peripheral mononeuropathy caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist and has been reported in workers who perform repetitive movements that involve actions of sustained grasping of vibrating objects. We carried out a cross-sectional analytical study in March 2018 to identify the factors associated with the CTS among workers of agro-export companies in Ica-Peru. CTS confirmation in our study was based on having at least 1 positive screening test (Tinel or Phalen) and a presumptive result of CTS by the Kamath and Stothard Questionnaire. We carried out 4 Poisson regression models to evaluate the factors associated with CTS based on epidemiological and statistical criteria. We enrolled 112 agro-export workers in production (42.0%), packing (35.7%), and administration (22.3%) working areas. The CTS frequency in Peruvian agro-export workers in production, packing, and administrative working area were 78.7%, 45.0%, and 28.0%, respectively. The bivariate analysis found a relationship between the CTS with age, female sex, sports practice, job seniority in the working area (year), and repetitive wrist movements (hours per day). In the multivariate analysis, only job seniority in the working area (year) and repetitive wrist movements maintained their association with CTS. Occupational factors are significantly associated with a high frequency of CTS, such as job seniority in the working area (year) and repetitive wrist movements in agro-export workers. Surveillance programs should be held to prevent, reduce, and monitor workers’ health status.