Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Textile Workers

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy frequently associated with repetitive and forceful hand activities in occupational settings. Textile workers are particularly vulnerable due to sustained wrist movements, prolonged working hours, and limited ergonomic modifications. Despite the scale of the textile workforce in Pakistan, evidence quantifying CTS burden and associated workplace factors remains limited. Objective: To determine the prevalence of suspected CTS among textile workers in Lahore, Pakistan, and to examine associations between CTS and occupational risk factors including repetition frequency, work breaks, wrist stretching practices, and job role. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among 160 textile workers aged 20–35 years at a textile factory in Lahore. Suspected CTS was defined by a positive Phalen test. Symptom severity and functional limitation were assessed using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and associations between occupational variables and Phalen-test positivity were evaluated using chi-square tests (p < 0.05). Results: The prevalence of suspected CTS was 27.5% (44/160; 95% CI 21.2%–34.9%). At least mild symptom burden and functional limitation were each reported by 30.6% of workers. Significant associations were observed between CTS and repetition frequency (p = 0.002), absence of wrist stretching (p = 0.005), lack of regular breaks (p < 0.01), and job role (p = 0.040). Conclusion: More than one-quarter of textile workers demonstrated clinical signs suggestive of CTS, and nearly one-third reported symptom or functional burden. Modifiable workplace factors were significantly associated with suspected CTS, underscoring the need for ergonomic interventions, scheduled breaks, and preventive education programs in textile production environments.