Alimehmeti, Ridvan

Cecia, Arba

Dashi, Florian

Sinani, Panajota

English

George Washington University: Health Sciences Research Commons (HSRC)

The Association Between Epidemiological Determinants and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Albania Arba Cecia1, Ridvan Alimehmeti2, Florian Dashi3, Panajota Sinani31George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health, 2Department of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Center “Mother Theresa”, Tirana, Albania, 3University of Medicine, Service of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Center “Mother Theresa, Tirana, AlbaniaINTRODUCTIONCarpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a debilitating condition that if left untreated may result in loss of hand function due to the compression of the median nerve. Previous studies have reported that the prevalence of CTS varies significantly in patients of different occupations. Other epidemiological factors that might be associated with developing CTS are age and gender. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to examine the association between occupation, age, gender and the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. OBJECTIVEThe main objective of this study is to investigate the potential association between epidemiological determinants and carpal tunnel syndrome development:• Focus on the association between occupation and CTS• Examine the gender distribution of patients with CTS in each occupation • Examine the age distribution and age median of patients with CTS in each occupation by gender METHODS• 100 patients at the University Center “Mother Theresa” in Tirana, Albania were diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in the span of three months.• Once diagnosed, the patients were asked to complete a questionnaire that inquired their age, gender, occupation, co-morbidities, height, weight, highest education completed, and whether they resided in urban or rural areas. RESULTS CONCLUSION• Previous studies report a higher prevalence of CTS among women compared to men. This may be explained by certain risk factors including:• Hand anatomical characteristics in women that make them more susceptible of developing CTS• Metabolic changes• Hormonal changes during pregnancy and menopause• The occupations with higher CTS were reported to be construction and agriculture, followed by housewife and instrument sterilization technicians. • In agriculture, 75% of the patients with CTS were women. • In construction, 66% of the patients with CTS were men.• Construction: male dominated occupation in Albania• The median age for women with CTS is agriculture was 54.5 years old, while the median age for men with CTS in agriculture was 60.5 years old.• The median age for women with CTS is construction was 52 years old, while the median age for men with CTS in construction was 60 years old.• The median age for housewives with CTS was 45 years old. • Lowest mean and median age out of all occupations• Most women in Albania are involved in occupations that require frequent hand manipulation and repetitive hand movements that might be responsible for the development of CTS. • This study may be beneficial in implementing effective screening interventions that may result in a better prognosis and outcome of CTS.REFERENCES• Cannon, Bernacki, & Walter. (1981, March 31). Personal and occupational factors associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.• Loslever, & Ranaivosoa. (2007, May 31). Biomechanical and epidemiological investigation of carpal tunnel syndrome at workplaces with high risk factors.  • Mondelli, M., Giannini, F., & Giacchi, M. (2002, January 22). Carpal tunnel syndrome incidence in a general population.  • Vessey, M., Villard-Mackintosh, L., & Yeates, D. (1990, September 01). Epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome in women of childbearing age. findings in a large cohort study. 17% 16%12%8%024681012141618Construction Agriculture Housewife Instrument SterilizationTechniciansThe Proportion (%) of Patients Diagnosed with CTSThe Proportion of Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Occupation 25%75%The Proportion of Men and Women with CTS in AgricultureMen Women66%34%The Proportion of Men and Women with CTS in ConstructionMen Women0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65ConstructionAgricultureHousewifeMedian Age of Men and Women with CTS in Each  OccupationMedian Age of Women with CTS Median Age of Men with CTSFigure 1: The Proportion of Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Occupation in Albania Figure 2: The Proportion of Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Gender in Agriculture Figure 2: The Proportion of Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Gender in Construction Figure 2: The Median Age of Men and Women with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Each Occupation 

The Association Between Epidemiological Determinants and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Albania

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The Association Between Epidemiological Determinants and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Albania

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