The California Department of Health Services has been collecting surveillance data on occupational carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) since 1998 as part of the NIOSH-funded Sentinel Event Notification System for Occupational Risks Program (SENSOR). This project uses a statewide reporting mechanism, Doctor's First Reports of Occupational Injury or Illness (DFRs), for case ascertainment. DFRs consist of a one-page form containing limited information on patient demographics, description of the illness or injury, subjective and objective physician findings, treatment, and physician information. Because the DFR is submitted after the earliest visit to a health care provider, all DFRs with a doctor's diagnosis of CTS or rule out CTS are initially eligible for inclusion in the surveillance system. Due to the large volume of reports, a systematic sampling strategy is used to select every third report for data processing. During the years 1998 -1999, approximately 10,000 reports of CTS were received, with over 3,300 selected for data processing. An updated descriptive analysis of surveillance data was conducted, including demographics, occupational risk factors, treatments, symptoms, physical tests, outcome, and rates. Cases were classified with the SENSOR CTS case definition using DFR information on symptoms and objective evidence consistent with CTS. Because information on the DFR is limited, a more thorough characterization of occupational CTS cases was conducted using telephone interviews and medical records retrieval for a subset of cases. This supplemental information allowed for an evaluation of the accuracy and completeness of information on DFRs, including validation of the case definition and case classification system.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this session, the participant will be able to: 1. Describe the occupations and industries with the highest rates of CTS in California workers 2. Identify the most significant occupational risk factors for CTS in California workers 3. Discuss the advantages and limitations of passive physician reporting as a surveillance tool for occupational carpal tunnel syndrome
Keywords: Ergonomics, Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.