Socioeconomic deprivation and the epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome

• Published in: The Journal of hand surgery, European volume Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 123 - 129
• Main Authors: Jenkins, P. J., Watts, A. C., Duckworth, A. D., McEachan, J. E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London, England SAGE Publications 01-02-2012; Sage Publications
• Subjects: Adult; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Body Mass Index; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - epidemiology; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - etiology; Cranial nerves. Spinal roots. Peripheral nerves. Autonomic nervous system. Gustation. Olfaction; Cross-Sectional Studies; Disability Evaluation; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Female; Humans; Incidence; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Neurology; Occupational Diseases - epidemiology; Occupational Diseases - etiology; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Statistics as Topic; United Kingdom; Vibration - adverse effects; Young Adult; carpal tunnel syndrome; epidemiology; socioeconomic deprivation; occupation; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Nervous system diseases; Compression; Deprivation; Orthopedics; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Peripheral nerve disease; Epidemiology
• ISSN: 1753-1934; 2043-6289
• DOI: 10.1177/1753193411419952

Deprivation has been recognized as a major determinant of health and is associated with several musculoskeletal conditions. This study examines the effect of deprivation on the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome using a regional prospective audit database. Over a 6 year period there were 1564 patients diagnosed with CTS with an annual incidence of 72/100,000 population. There was a significant difference in population incidence of CTS from the most deprived (81/100,000) to the least deprived (62/100,000) (p = 0.003). Functional impairment was higher in the most deprived group compared with the least (DASH 56 vs 48, p = 0.001). The most deprived group exhibited the greatest exposure to occupation vibration (42.7%), and had the greatest risk of bilateral disease (OR = 2.33, p < 0.001). We report an association between socioeconomic deprivation and carpal tunnel syndrome, with the disease being more likely to be bilateral and have a poorer DASH score in the most deprived patients.