Higher Incidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Oophorectomized Women

Abstract

To determine whether the hormonal changes of the menopause are related to the onset of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), 53 healthy women, younger than 44 years, and subjected to bilateral oophorectomy between 1 and 4 years before the study, were evaluated. Seventy healthy menstruating women matched for age were used as controls. In those complaining of symptoms and presenting signs suggestive of CTS, sensory and motor nerve conduction studies were done. In the oophorectomized group, 17 of 53 (32%) had clinical CTS, while only seven of 70 of the control group (10%) did so (relative risk for the oophorectomized group = 4.25; 95% confidence intervals 1.47 and 12.61). The nerve conduction studies were abnormal in 14 of 16 oophorectomized women (87.5%), and in only one of seven of the control group (14.2%; P less than 0.002). Symptoms tended to be milder in the controls. Symptoms developed in the first year after oophorectomy in 14 of the 17 women with CTS. This suggests that women develop CTS after oophorectomy more frequently than controls.

Carpal tunnel syndrome in postmenopausal women

“…Although previous studies have demonstrated that surgical menopause may be a precipitating factor for CTS [7,28], we found that both groups experienced similar frequencies of natural versus surgical menopause. The frequency of natural menopause was significantly higher than surgical menopause in both groups.…”

Anastrozole-Induced Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Results From the International Breast Cancer Intervention Study II Prevention Trial

“…Women have a three times-increased risk of developing CTS compared with men, especially around the time of menopause. 4,5 Pregnancy, 6 bilateral oophorectomy, 7 and use of the combined oral contraceptive 8 have all been identified as risk factors for CTS. In contrast, menopausal hormone replacement therapy (MHT) has been shown to lead to resolution of CTS in menopausal women.…”

The genetic contribution to carpal tunnel syndrome in women: A twin study

“…In clinical series, CTS has been associated with rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, estrogen replacement therapy (13), oophorectomy (14), and pregnancy (15). Many of these studies have been conducted in highly selected populations and the individual contribution or "attributable risk" from each factor has been small.…”