Seasonal distribution and demographical characteristics of carpal tunnel syndrome in 1039 patients

Abstract

-Objective: To describe the demographic characteristics of gender, age, and presence of repetitive movements, intake of alcohol and non-steroid anti-inflammatories (NSAI), medical specialties that referred patients to nerve conduction studies and electromyography (NCS-EMG), school attainment, and seasonal distribution in patients with a neurophysiological diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Method: A series of 1039 patients (1549 hands) with neurophysiologically defined CTS was studied. Patients were referred for NCS-EMG in 3 universities and 2 private services, from August 2001 to January 2003. All patients completed a questionnaire containing demographic information. The diagnosis of CTS was established following a pre-established protocol, with defined diagnostic criteria. Results: Around one fourth of patients had already performed NCS-EMG; the greatest frequency of CTS was observed in women (5.6:1) and in patients above the age of 40. Most patients reported performing repetitive movements in their daily routine (69.7%); 12.9% reported use of NSAI and 14.9% regular intake of alcoholic beverages. A greater frequency of CTS was observed in the months of July and August, when compared to the other months of the year. Around 2/3 of the study population had completed at least secondary school. Most requests of nerve conduction studies did not provide a diagnostic hypothesis (59.9%) and neurophysiologic studies were requested mostly by traumatology/orthopedics (71.1%). Conclusion:We have concluded that, in our environment, CTS shows some demographical characteristics that are similar to what the literature describes. Also, we have found that most of our sample concluded at least secondary school, and was referred to neurophysiologic studies by orthopedists. To be pointed out is the seasonal distribution of CTS, which demonstrates a significant association with winter months.KEY WORDS: carpal tunnel syndrome, demographical characteristics, seasonal, nerve conduction studies and electromyography, neurophysiology. Distribuição sazonal e características demográficas da síndrome do túnel do carpo em 1039 pacientesRESUMO -Objetivo: Descrever as características demográficas de gênero, idade e presença de movimentos repetitivos, uso de álcool e antiinflamatórios não-esteróides (AINE), especialidades médicas de encaminhamento para eletroneuromiografia (ENMG), nível de escolaridade, e distribuição sazonal em pacientes com síndrome do túnel do carpo (STC) diagnosticada neurofisiologicamente no Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Método: Foi estudada uma série de 1039 pacientes (1549 mãos), com STC definida neurofisiologicamente, que foram encaminhados para realização de ENMG, em 3 serviços universitários e 2 privados, entre agosto de 2001 a janeiro de 2003. Todos os pacientes responderam questionário com informações demográficas. O diagnóstico da STC foi realizado seguindo protocolo pré-estabelecido, com critérios diagnósticos definidos. Resultado: Cerca de um quarto...

Wrist immobilization after carpal tunnel release: a prospective study

“…Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most commom entrapment neuropathy and often occurs after the age of 30 years, with women been affected three to six times more than men 10,11 . A large proportion of patients fail to respond to conservative treatment and, in this population, carpal tunnel decompression with division of the transverse carpal ligament has been a highly successful pro c e d u re 1 2 .…”

Seasonal variation in prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome

“…12 We believe this is the first time that colder temperatures have been associated with CTS. In 2010, Saeed and Irshad reported an association between CTS and winter in 213 patients.…”

“…There have been just 2 reports suggesting a seasonal effect in CTS. 12,13 Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the frequency of CTS among neurophysiological evaluations according to season of the year to determine whether seasonality is associated with CTS. …”

Outcome of Carpal Tunnel Release: a prospective study

“…Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common entrapment neuropathy and often occurs after the age of 30 years, with women been affected three to six times more than men 8,9 . A large proportion of patients fail to respond to conservative treatment and, in this population, carpal tunnel decompression with division of the transverse carpal ligament has been a highly successful procedure 2,3,4 .…”