Prevalence and severity of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms among Iranian butchers and their association with occupational risk factors: Implications for ergonomic interventions

Fakhradin Ghasemi; Kamran Gholamizadeh; Ramin Rahmani; Amin Doosti-Irani

doi:10.3233/WOR-203227

Prevalence and severity of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms among Iranian butchers and their association with occupational risk factors: Implications for ergonomic interventions

Work. 2020;66(4):817-825. doi: 10.3233/WOR-203227.

Authors

Fakhradin Ghasemi¹, Kamran Gholamizadeh², Ramin Rahmani², Amin Doosti-Irani³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ergonomics, Occupational Health and Safety Research Center, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
² Department of Occupational Health Engineering, Student Research Committee, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.
³ Department of Epidemiology, Research Center for Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Hamadan University of Medical Sciences, Hamadan, Iran.

PMID: 32925141
DOI: 10.3233/WOR-203227

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common disorder among occupations where upper extremities are actively involved in. Many occupational and non-occupational risk factors may contribute to this disorder. Knowledge regarding occupational risk factors can guide us to implement interventional programs.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and severity of CTS symptoms among butchers and their association with several occupational and non-occupational risk factors.

Methods: In this study, 152 butchers in Hamadan, Iran, were examined. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) was used to investigate the severity of CTS symptoms among the individuals. Several risk factors such as body mass index (BMI), wrist ratio, active working hours per day, working experience, and the ergonomic quality of hand tools used by butchers were also investigated. Statistical tests such as the crude and robust regression were used to analyze the data.

Results: The prevalence of moderate and mild symptoms of CTS were 7% and 54%, respectively. Moreover, 39% of the butchers were free of CTS symptoms. Crude regression analyses showed that the severity of CTS symptoms had a significant relationship with age, work experience, active working hours per day, working hours per week, and ergonomic quality of the hand tools (p value <0.05). There was no significant relationship between the severity of CTS symptoms and wrist ratio and BMI. Results of the robust regression analysis showed a significant relationship between the severity of CTS symptoms with experience, active working hours, and quality of the hand tools.

Conclusion: Occupational risk factors such as working experience, active working hours per day, and the ergonomic quality of hand tools are significant risk factors of CTS symptoms among butchers. Slippery handle is the main non-ergonomic feature of knives and cleavers used by butchers. There was no association between BMI and wrist ratio with CTS symptoms.

Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; butchers; ergonomics; meat products; occupational risk factors; upper extremity.

MeSH terms

Boston
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* / epidemiology
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome* / etiology
Ergonomics
Humans
Iran / epidemiology
Occupational Diseases* / epidemiology
Prevalence
Risk Factors