Prevalence and Risk Factors of Self-Reported Symptoms Consistent with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among Dentists in Jordan

Abstract

Background: Dentists are at an increased risk of developing musculoskeletal disorders, particularly carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), due to repetitive hand movements, awkward postures, and sustained grip forces. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of self-reported wrist and hand symptoms and clinically relevant CTS indicators among dentists in Jordan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 201 licensed dentists in Jordan. Participants completed demographic questionnaires and the Valid Arabic version Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) to assess their symptom severity and hand function. Data was analyzed using STATA version 17, applying descriptive statistics, chi-squared tests, t-tests, ANOVA, and multivariable linear regression to evaluate association between sociodemographic factors and BCTQ scores. Results: Of the 201 participants, 64.2% were female and 35.8% were male. Female dentists were significantly younger (median age 31 vs. 39 years, p < 0.001), reported higher symptom severity (median score 18.0 vs. 16.0, p = 0.019), and experienced greater functional limitations (median score 15 vs. 9, p < 0.001) than male dentists. The overall mean symptom severity score was 19.12 (SD = 7.82), and the functional impairment score was 14.20 (SD = 6.37), indicating mild pain and functional limitation. Multivariable regression revealed that male sex was associated with significantly lower symptom scores (β = 0.7, p = 0.001) and better function (β = 0.722, p = 0.002). Geographic location, higher education level (PhD), and full-time employment were associated with higher symptom scores in the study. Conclusions: Wrist and hand symptoms are prevalent among dentists in Jordan, with significant sex differences in symptom severity and functional impairment. Geographic location, academic degree, and working hours were significant predictors of CTS-related symptoms. These findings underscore the need for ergonomic interventions and targeted preventive strategies, especially for high-risk groups, such as female and full-time practitioners.