In:
PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science (PLoS), Vol. 18, No. 6 ( 2023-6-23), p. e0287351-
Abstract:
Dentists may be at a higher risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) because of their use of frequent wrist and vibratory instruments at work; however, this issue remains unclear. Therefore, we conducted this study to clarify it. Methods Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database was used for this nationwide population-based study. We identified 11,084 dentists, 74,901 non-dentist healthcare professionals (HCPs), and identical number of age- and sex-matched participants from the general population. Participants who had the diagnosis of CTS before 2007 were excluded. Between 2007 and 2011, the risk of developing CTS among dentists, non-dentist HCPs, and the general population was compared by following their medical histories. Results The cumulative incidence rate of CTS among dentists was 0.5% during the 5-year follow-up period. In dentists, the risk was higher in women (women: 0.7%; men: 0.4%) and older individuals (≥60 years: 1.0%; 〈 60 years: 0.4%). After adjusting for age, sex, and underlying comorbidities, dentists had a lower risk of CTS than the general population (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 0.65, 95% confidence interval [CI] : 0.45–0.92). Dentists had a higher risk for CTS compared with non-dentist HCPs, although the difference was not statistically significant (AOR: 1.21; 95% CI: 0.90−1.64). Conclusions In CTS, dentists had a lower risk than the general population and a trend of higher risk than non-dentist HCPs. The difference between dentists and non-dentist HCPs suggests that we should pay attention to dentists for potential occupational risk of this disease. However, further studies are warranted to better clarify it.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1932-6203
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351.g001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351.t001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351.t002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351.t003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351.t004
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351.s001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351.s002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351.r001
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351.r002
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351.r003
DOI:
10.1371/journal.pone.0287351.r004
Language:
English
Publisher:
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Publication Date:
2023
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2267670-3
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