The Professional Future in Operated Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Cross-Sectional Study of Recognized Occupational Cases.

BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is frequently present among workers. This syndrome's professional and economic impact makes it a priority in occupational health. We aimed to describe the professional future of workers suffering from occupational CTS after surgery and the factors that could influence their retention at the job. -Methods: A retrospective descriptive study of workers operated on occupational CTS was conducted from 2014 to 2019. The data was collected using pre-established and phone questionnaires to determine their professional future after surgery. RESULTS: We included 99 workers with operated CTS. They had a mean age of 45±6.5 years, were predominantly female (97%), and had two dependent children in 72.7% of cases. They worked as a seamstress in 44.4% of patients with a mean professional seniority of 18±7.2 years. The professional future was a return to work with a job transfer at 44.4% and job maintenance with ergonomic adjustments at 39.4%. A job loss was noticed in 12.2% of cases. Early retirement was noticed in 8.2%, dismissal in 3%, and resignation in 1% of cases. The factors influencing the professional future were age 50 to 59 years (p=0.01) and dependent children (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In our survey, most operated-CTS workers benefited from a job transfer and kept their job with ergonomic adjustments to their work conditions. Therefore, interventions aiming to improve the professional future of workers operated on CTS by ensuring sufficient staff and adjusting workplaces are needed.

Impact of atypical working hours on sleep and mood among healthcare workers.

BACKGROUND: Atypical working hours have raised serious concerns about health effects, such as sleep disorders and psychological repercussions. These schedules are frequent among health professionals having the obligation to ensure the permanence of health services. OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of atypical working hours on sleep, sleepiness, and mood among health personnel (HP). METHODS: Comparative descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among HP of a regional hospital in Southern Tunisia from December 2019 to May 2020. Two groups were defined according to their work schedule: group A had a fixed-day work and group B had atypical working hours. The assessment of sleep, sleepiness, and mood was based respectively on the Spiegel questionnaire, the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, and the Hospital Anxiety and Disorder scale. RESULTS: A total of 101 HP in group A and 135 in group B were included. We found signs of pathological sleep in group B: greater delay in falling asleep (78.1% Vs 53.5%; p = 0.002), altered sleep quality (88.1% Vs 56.4%; p = 0.039), and more frequent occurrence of dreams (37% Vs 31.7%; p = 0.033). The quality of sleep was associated with the professional seniority (p = 0.01), the workplace (p = 0.02), and having dependent children (p = 0.04). The mean score of depression was higher in group B (p = 0.02). Depression was associated with the workplace (p = 0.04) and the quality of sleep (p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that atypical working hours generate both sleep and mood disorders in HP. It is vital to encourage the occupational physicians to estimate sleep and mood disorders in HP.

Occupational diseases compensated in the Tunisian public sector.

AIM: Describe the epidemiological characteristics of occupational diseases (OD) recognized by the Central Medical Commission (CMC) of the first ministry during the period from 2012 to 2019. METHODS: It was a descriptive and retrospective study covering all cases of diseases declared and recognized as occupational diseases by the CMC of the first ministry in the public sector and their repair during the period from the first of January 2012 to December 31, 2019. RESULTS: During the study period, 294 OD were declared, of which, 213 were recognized by the CMC (72.4%). The average age of the population was 45.8 ± 10.9 years. A female predominance was noted (61%). Most employees (56%) were part of the health sector. Tuberculosis was the most common occupational disease (21.1%). Cancers were present in 5.6% of cases. In this series, 99 workers had a temporary total disability (TTD) (46.5%). A partial permanent disability rate (PPD) was attributed to 20 victims of OD (9.4%) with an average rate of 29% and extremes ranging from 8% to 70%. CONCLUSION: The OD recognized in the public sector seemed to be low. This encourages better information for workers on occupational risks and better awareness of attending physicians to report the professional nature of PD.