Usefulness of North Carolina Workers' Compensation Data for Surveillance of Cumulative Trauma Disorders

Abstract

Abstract North Carolina workers' compensation claims data were explored to determine the ease with which the data could be used to study cumulative trauma disorders. A descriptive survey was performed to determine the frequency and distribution of claims for carpal tunnel syndrome and upper extremity tendinitis during 1986 to 1988. Minor claims were not computerized and therefore were not available for study. Cases were not entered into the database until the claim had legally closed, resulting in a delay in claim ascertainment for more complex cases. Race of claimants was not available for study. There were 851 claims for cumulative trauma disorders in the study group. The highest rate was found in the food products industry (5.6 claims per 10,000 workers); the 6 next highest rates were found among manufacturing industries (2.5 to 4.2 claims per 10,000 workers). In the 10 industries with highest cumulative trauma disorder rates, the proportion of claims diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome varied from 26....