June/July 2007 (vol. 04/1)

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Research Plus

Nerve conduction in HAVS

Canadian research demonstrates the importance of undertaking nerve-conduction studies in detecting neuropathies proximal to the hand, such as carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), in patients being assessed for hand–arm vibration syndrome. In total, 162 HAVS sufferers from the mining, construction and automotive industries were given physical and neurological examinations and completed work-history questionnaires. CTS and ulnar neuropathy proximal to the hand were found to be common in workers diagnosed with HAVS, but results of the nerve conduction studies raise a question of whether CTS is related to vibration exposure. Neither nerve-conduction, nor current-perception tests had a strong association with the commonly used Stockholm sensorineural scale.

Occupational Medicine (online ahead of print) 2007; doi:10.1093/occmed/kqm012.

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Occupational Health at Work June/July 2007 (vol. 04/1) pp39