Objective
The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome in a rural population in Korea.

Method
Among the 1004 residents in a rural district who participated in the health examination, 450 (165 male, 285 female) adults aged between 30 and 79 years were randomly selected. Hand symptom questionnaire and electrodiagnostic studies were used to diagnose and classify carpal tunnel syndrome. General characteristics, female-related factors, work-related factors and anthropometric measurements were compared between normal and carpal tunnel syndrome group to identify the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Results
Subjects with carpal tunnel syndrome were 76 (16.9%), symptom only subjects were 168 (37.3%), asymptomatic slowing 27 (6.0%) and peripheral polyneuropathy were 16 (3.6%). Age, farming, body mass index and wrist depth width ratio were associated with risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and odds ratio were 1.03 (95% confidence interval 1.01∼1.07), 2.62 (95% confidence interval 1.17∼5.86), 2.24 (95% confidence interval 1.14∼4.40) and 3.13 (95% confidence interval 1.64∼5.96), each.

Conclusion
These data suggest that the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome is high in a rural population and physical factors like wrist shape and body mass index, occupation and aging are associated with risk of carpal tunnel syndrome.