Upper extremity mononeuropathy among engineers

Objectives: The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence Of mononeuropathy at the wrist among engineers who use computers and to identify associated risk factors. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of 202 engineers using questionnaires and electrophysiological nerve testing. The definition for median or ulnar mononeuropathy required the combination of distal upper extremity discomfort and abnormal distal motor latency. Results: The prevalence of neuropathy at the wrist among engineers was 10.3% (right median), 3.4% (left median), 1.8% (right ulnar), and 2.9% (left ulnar). Logistic regression analysis identified three variables with positive associations (body mass index, hours of computer use, and antihypertensive medication) and three variables with negative associations (typing speed, driving hours, total break time). Conclusions: Mononeuropathies at the wrist occur among computer-using engineers and are related to a number of factors, including hours of computer use.