Reporting of Cumulative Trauma Disorders of the Upper Extremities may be Leveling off in the U.S.

Abstract

Since the early 1980's reporting of cumulative trauma disorders of the upper extremities (CTDUEs) has been increasing. The past few years have seen increasing attention given to these disorders. More recently, the premise that CTDUEs should be a top priority based on the magnitude of workers' compensation insurance claims and OSHA cases has been challenged. This paper provides data indicating that the reporting of CTDUEs in the U.S. may soon level off and the rate of increase of the number of CTDUEs as a percent of all cases reported in the U.S. has already significantly declined. Data from both the Bureau of Labor Statistics and Liberty Mutual Group workers' compensation claims indicate that even though the number of CTDUEs as a percent of all cases reported has been increasing over the past ten years, the rate of increase has declined steadily since 1991. If this trend continues, CTDUE reporting will level off in 1995. Possible reasons for these trends are briefly discussed.