PREVALENCE OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME IN WORKERS FROM A FISHNET FACTORY IN THAILAND

We determined the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) at a fishnet factory in order to discern the possible associated risk factors at this type of workplace. The 662 workers were interviewed then physically examined. The prevalence of CTS was 14.5%, which is significantly higher than in the general population. Workers directly involved in the production of fishnets had a significantly higher risk of CTS than the factory's office workers or housemaids (odds ratio = 1.84; range, 1.03-3.29; 95% CI, p = 0.049). There was no association between the length of employment in the factory with CTS (odds ratio = 1.13; range, 0.77-1.66; 95% CI, p = 0.591). Our results confirm that factory jobs with repetitive hyperflexing and twisting of the wrists are at risk of CTS.