OCCURRENCE, FUNCTIONAL STATUS AND SEVERITY OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME AMONG WAITERS”: A DESCRIPTION CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.71000/zk6nyp29Keywords:
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Musculoskeletal Diseases, Occupational Health, Peripheral Nerve Compression Syndromes, Prevalence, Risk Factors, Work-Related InjuriesAbstract
Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most prevalent entrapment neuropathy of the upper limb and is commonly linked to repetitive wrist motion, sustained gripping, and prolonged hand postures. Occupational groups performing manual and repetitive tasks are particularly vulnerable. Restaurant waiters routinely engage in tray carrying, gripping, and repetitive wrist movements for extended hours, potentially increasing their risk of CTS. Despite this occupational exposure, limited evidence exists regarding CTS among waiters in Pakistan.
Objective: To determine the occurrence, symptom severity, and functional status of carpal tunnel syndrome among waiters working in restaurants in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted over 14 months among 378 full-time waiters aged 18–45 years recruited from restaurants, cafés, and fast-food outlets using non-probability convenience sampling. Screening for CTS was performed using the CTS-6 diagnostic tool. Participants meeting the diagnostic cutoff underwent further evaluation with the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ), including the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and Functional Status Scale (FSS). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Frequencies and percentages were calculated to describe demographic characteristics, CTS occurrence, symptom severity, and functional status.
Results: CTS was identified in 4.5% (n = 17) of participants, while 95.5% (n = 361) were negative. Among the total sample, 0.8% (n = 3) had mild symptoms, 2.6% (n = 10) moderate symptoms, and 1.1% (n = 4) severe symptoms; no cases of very severe CTS were observed. Functional assessment demonstrated that 96.6% (n = 365) maintained normal hand function, whereas 3.4% (n = 13) exhibited mild to severe functional limitations. A proportionally higher occurrence of CTS was observed among participants aged 39–45 years (20%), smokers (7.3%), individuals with diabetes (28.5%), and those classified as overweight (8.3%).
Conclusion: Although the overall occurrence of CTS among waiters was relatively low, clinically relevant symptoms and functional limitations were present in a subset of workers. These findings underscore the need for early screening, ergonomic interventions, and preventive occupational health strategies to minimize progression and preserve hand function in this workforce.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Manahil Shahid, Raiha Batool, Zainab Qureshi, Farwah Tabassum, Aamara Ishaq, Rana Muhammad Hashir Ali, Abdullah Bin Khalid (Author)
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