A study of patient characteristics of carpal tunnel syndrome and its correlation with electro-diagnostic findings

 

Vishali Kotwal¹, Amit Thakur^2*

 

Abstract              Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common peripheral neuropathies. It affects mainly middle aged women. In the majority of patients the exact cause and pathogenesis of CTS is unclear. Objective: To study the patient characteristics of CTS and its correlation with electro diagnostic findings. Methods: An observational study was conducted in which 50 patients of carpal tunnel syndrome were taken and after taking a detailed history, physical examination, nerve conduction study was conducted. Boston CTS questionnaire was used to calculate symptom severity scale which included 11 items that assess pain, numbness and weakness at night and during the day. Results: In the current study it was found that females were more than males. Housewives, teachers and office workers were their main occupations. Obesity and hypothyroidism were the two most common comorbidities seen. There was a positive correlation seen with duration of symptoms and electro diagnostic severity however no correlation was seen between clinical symptoms and electro diagnostic severity. Conclusion: CTS is mostly a disease seen in housewives, obese and hypothyroid in our study with no correlation between symptom severity and electro diagnostic severity.

Key Words: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Obesity, Hypothyroidism, electro diagnostic severity