Reports summarize carpal tunnel syndrome research from B. Silverstein and co-authors.(Report)

"Objectives The aim was to explore whether ''adjustment'' for gender masks important exposure differences between men and women in a Study of rotator cuff syndrome (RCS) and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and work exposures. This cross-sectional study of 733 subjects in 12 healthcare and manufacturing workplaces used detailed individual health and work exposure assessment methods," investigators in the United States report (see also Carpal Tunnel Syndrome).

"Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to compare gender stratified and adjusted models. Prevalence of RCS and CTS among women was 7.1% and 11.3% respectively, and among men 7.8% and 6.4%. In adjusted (gender, age, body mass index) multivariate analyses of RCS and CTS, gender was not statistically significantly different. For RCS, upper arm flexion >= 45 degrees and forceful pinch increased the odds ratio (OR) in the gender-adjusted model (OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.26-5.59) but primarily among women in the stratified analysis (OR 6.68, 95% CI 1.81-24.66 versus OR 1.45, 95% CI 0.53-4.00). For CTS, wrist radial/ulnar deviation >= 4% time and lifting >= 4.5kg >3% time, the adjusted OR was higher for women (OR 4.85, 95% CI 2.12-11.11) and in the gender stratified analyses, the odds were increased for both genders female OR 5.18, 95% CI 1.70-15.81 and male OR 3.63, 95% CI 1.08-12.18). Gender differences in response to physical work ...