G-1390

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) Among Nurses in Various Departments of Hospitals Affiliated with Behbahan University of Medical Sciences in 2024: A Cross-Sectional Study

 Javad ShaabanZadeh ¹ ℗, Mohammad Mostaghar ², Arash Neshati ³, Alireza Rafi ⁴, Tayebeh Arabzadeh ³ ©   

 
Abstract

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common compressive neuropathy of the upper limb, caused by pressure on the median nerve at the wrist, and is accompanied by pain, tingling, and muscle weakness. This disorder has a high prevalence, especially in occupations requiring repetitive wrist movements or the use of vibrating tools. Nurses, due to the complex nature of their occupational activities, are at increased risk for this syndrome. The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome among nurses in various departments of hospitals affiliated with Behbahan University of Medical Sciences in 2024, aiming to provide a foundation for developing preventive strategies and improving the health of healthcare personnel. Methods and Materials: In this cross-sectional study, the study population comprised full-time nurses with at least one year of work experience, and sampling was conducted using a census method. Data were collected using a demographic questionnaire (age, gender, work experience, etc.) and the standardized Boston Questionnaire (BQ) to assess the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 22 and statistical tests including Kolmogorov-Smirnov, independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson correlation. Inclusion criteria were informed consent, at least one year of work experience, and absence of underlying conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Exclusion criteria included refusal to participate or incomplete questionnaire responses. Results: A total of 436 nurses participated in the study, of whom 238 (54.5%) were female and 198 (45.5%) were male. The majority of nurses, 103 individuals (23.6%), worked in the operating room department. The reported severity of symptoms among nurses was as follows: 32.6% asymptomatic, 35.3% mild, 22.2% moderate, 6.2% severe, and 3.7% very severe. There was a statistically significant association between the reporting of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms and factors such as age, female gender, body mass index (BMI), and work experience (p0.05). Conclusion and Discussion: The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome symptom severity among nurses in various departments of hospitals affiliated with Behbahan University of Medical Sciences was relatively mild. Additionally, the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms among nurses was associated with individual and occupational factors. Therefore, these associated factors should be considered in future interventional measures.

Keywords: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Prevalence, Nurses, Risk Factors, Boston Questionnaire