Objective: We determined the predictive validity of a postoffer pre-placement (POPP) screen using nerve conduction velocity studies (NCV) to identify future cases of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Methods: A cohort of 1648 newly hired manufacturing production workers underwent baseline NCS, and were followed for 5 years.
Results: There was no association between abnormal POPP NCV results and incident CTS. Varying NCV diagnostic cut-offs did not improve predictive validity. Workers in jobs with high hand/wrist exposure showed greater risk of CTS than those in low exposed jobs (relative risk 2.82; 95% confidence interval 1.52 to 5.22).
Conclusions: POPP screening seems ineffective as a preventive strategy for CTS.