Prevalence and Risk Factors of Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow in a Rural Population.

, Jeon, Jae Yong; , Ryu, Gi Hyeong; , Sim, Young Joo; , Lim, Hyun Sul

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2005;29(1):63-69.

Jeon, Jae Yong , Ryu, Gi Hyeong , Sim, Young Joo , Lim, Hyun Sul

¹Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Korea. oggum@medimail.co.kr
²Department of Preventive Medicine, Dongguk University College of Medicine, Korea.

일부 농촌 주민의 주관절부 척골신경병증 유병률 및 위험인자

전재용, 류기형, 심영주, 임현술¹

동국대학교 의과대학 재활의학교실, ¹예방의학교실

Abstract

Objective
The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) in a rural district in Korea.
Method
Among the 578 residents in a rural district who participated in the health examination, 450 (116 male, 334 female) adults were randomly selected. A symptom questionnaire and electrodiagnostic studies were used to diagnose UNE. General characteristics, female-related factors, work-related factors and anthropometric measurements were compared between normal and UNE group to identify the risk factors of UNE.
Results
Subjects with UNE were 29 (6.4%), symptom without electrodiagnosis findings 23 (5.1%), asymptomatic subjects were 379 (84.2%). Diabetes mellitus, repetitive heavy lifting were risk factors of UNE.
Conclusion
The prevalence of UNE was 6.4% in a rural district and these data suggest that medical conditions like diabetes mellitus and physical factors like repetitive heavy lifting are risk factors of UNE. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2005; 29: 63-69)

Key Words: Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, Prevalence, Risk factors