Medical screening of office workers for upper extremity cumulative trauma disorders.

摘要: An apparent "outbreak" of cumulative trauma disorders (CTDs) was noted in a subset white-collar workers employed medical illustration and graphic arts. Among artists (n = 7), there were three cases carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), based on patient reports personal physician diagnoses; no such occurred among other the department 39, p .0023, Fisher's exact test). Jobs studied to identify possible risk factors for CTDs, underwent standardized screening protocol. Specific work elements found be performed more frequently by appeared related increased reporting distal upper extremity symptoms electrodiagnostic changes at wrist. Nevertheless, using strict case definition CTS that required electrophysiologic evidence median mononeuropathy wrist appropriate or signs, only two persons--one artist one comparison subject--had mild CTS. The approach this study an outbreak CTDs is example multidisciplinary investigation office setting.