The purpose of this study was to evaluate the occupational history of patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome and its contribution to the development of the disease.

We reviewed medical records of 160 patients who were diagnosed as having unilateral or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome by electrodiagnostic study at Seoul National University Hospital 1991 to 1994. Among those whose etiology were considered to be idiopathic, we interviewed 79 patients and evaluated the occupational history.

The summary of the results is as follows:

1) Of the 71 women with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome, 31% had occupation or prior occupational history and most said their occupations made them use their hands more severely than those of housewives.

3) There were no difference in symptom severity between patients with and without occupational history but patients with occupational history had showed tendency to have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and significantly longer symptom duration.

4) Age at the time of diagnosis showed no difference, but age of symptom onset were significantly lower in patients with occupational history in spite of their relatively lesser burden from housework than those without.

We concluded that occupation had some contribution to the development of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome and shortened the time period to develop symptom in women.