The authors evaluated in their retrospective study all workers with notified occupational carpal tunnel syndrome (o-CTS) in the Centre of occupational medicine of the Pardubice Hospital in 1978–1998. It was a group of 161 workers (117 men and 44 women), mean age at the time of notification of o-CTS 44.2 years in men and 44.6 years in women, with a mean period of exposure of 15.7 in men and 14.5 years in women. The workers were exposed to a long-term unilateral excessive load of the hand, with a risk of excessive vibrations or combination of both. The authors tried to record also all non-occupational activities and diseases which may participate in the development of the carpal tunnel syndrome. Using statistical methods they evaluated the impact of non-professional activities and diseases on the genesis and development of o-CTS, identification of these factors and their consequences for assessment of work capacity. The participation of the neurologist (and EMG) in detection of these workers, the diagnosis of CTS and orientation of the subsequent procedure was evaluated. In the whole group of 161 workers with o-CTS (or sub-groups) no non-occupational factors were detected which could act as an independent risk factor for o-CTS. Under certain conditions – depending on age – hypertension is a risk factor. In women more frequently thyroid dysfunction was found, regardless of age, and n ot statistically significant. The part played by alcohol consumption could not be assessed reliably as the data of workers were not accurate. More reliable data were assembled on smoking. However smoking is not a risk factor for o-CTS. Overweight was not a risk factor in our group (however it was not evaluated by the BM index). Screening, differential diagnosis and dispensarization of workers with o-CTS calls for a signi- ficant increase of opportunities for EMG examination according to a standard protocol.

        Key words: carpal tunnel syndrome, occupational and non-occupational factors, electromyographic examination