OBJECTIVE: We determined the predictive validity of a post-offer pre-placement (POPP) screen using nerve conduction velocity studies (NCV) to identify future cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: A cohort of 1648 newly hired manufacturing production workers underwent baseline NCS, and were followed for 5 years. RESULTS: There was no association between abnormal POPP NCV results and incident CTS. Varying NCV diagnostic cut-offs did not improve predictive validity. Workers in jobs with high hand/wrist exposure showed greater risk of CTS than those in low exposed jobs (Relative Risk 2.82; 95% CI 1.52, 5.22). CONCLUSIONS: POPP screening seems ineffective as a preventive strategy for CTS
