• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.225-236
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• 2004

It has been suggested in research results thai dental hygienists have high risk of carpal tunnel syndrome, mainly caused by the repeated motion of extensor and flexor or the use of vibration tools, compared to other occupations. To find out the situation of the carpal tunnel syndrome of dental hygienists, who are exposed to work-related musculoskeletal disorders, this study used 132 questionnaires given on May 22, 2004, the period of continuing education of the first half year in the Gwangju Jeonnam area, and obtained the following results. 1. Subjects worked at a dental ciinic(32.6%), a hospital(31.8%), and a public health center(35.6%). Age by work was under 24 in a clinic(17.4%) and a hospital(15.9%), and over 30 in a public health center(35.6%). 2. In practice conducted over one time a day, a scaling accounted for 90.7% in a doctor's office; 595% in a hospital; and 3.0% in a public health center, suggesting significant difference(p<0.01). Pit and fissure sealant accounted for 53.5% in a clinic; 53.2% in a hospital; and 95% in a public health center, also suggesting significant difference(p0.01). 3. Symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome appeared in a wrist(12.1%), a right hand(14.4%), and a left hand(5.3%). 4. In case of temporary crown practice, symptoms appeared in a wrist(22.0%), a right hand(14.0%), and a left hand(4.0%), suggesting significant difference(p<0.01). The above results showed that 12.1% of dental hygienists was exposed to carpal tunnel syndrome. Thus, it is considered very important that dental hygienists should be given education of the danger of continuous work in certain motions and prevention education of improving repeated position, and make efforts to reinforce self-control ability.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.427-432
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• 2006

Purpose: Noninflammatory synovial fibrosis has been noted for main causal factor of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Recently, there are some reports that heparin have not only anti-coagulative effect but also anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic potential and have an effect on interstitial pulmonary fiborosis. Authors examined whether heparin affects pathogenesis of CTS. Methods: First, heparin was administered to fibroblast that was cultured from patient's transverse carpal ligament. Secondly, we evaluated the expression from genes of type I, III collagen, TGF ${\beta}$ isoforms and MMP. Fibroblasts were isolated and cultured from transverse carpal ligaments of 5 patients with CTS. Heparin (0, 1, 10,$100{\mu}g/ml$) was administered to cultured fibroblast and reverse transcription PCR for mRNA expression of type I, III collagen, TGF-${\beta}$ isoforms and MMP was done. Results: Heparin suppressed gene expression of type I, III collagen and TGF-${\beta}1$, ${\beta}3$ but promoted gene expression of TGF-${\beta}2$ and MMP-2. Conclusion: Heparin directly suppress gene expression of type I, III collagen. But, It is undetermined that heparin can present it's effect mediated by TGF ${\beta}$ isoforms or MMP.