Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Clinical manifestations, Diagnosis and Risk factors among Yemeni Patients

Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common compressive canalicular neuropathies of the upper extremities. It results from compression or injury of the median nerve at the wrist within the confines of the carpal tunnel. Objective: To determine the pattern of clinical manifestation, diagnosis, and risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome among Yemeni patients presented to the neurological center, Sana’a city. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a neurological Centre in Sana’a city. The study included all patients with symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). History, physical examination, and laboratory were collected. Demographic data were recorded for every case. A nerve conduction study of both hands was performed according to the protocol. Results: Out of 73 included subjects, 52 (71.2%) patients were females and 21 (28.8%) were males, with a mean age of (44.05 years). Most of the patients (80.8%) had bilateral CTS, and it affected both hands. The majority of CTS cases were of moderate to profound severity. All patients with (CTS) presented with pain numbness, and tingling on bilateral hands. More than two-thirds of the patients (64.4%) had weakness of both hands and (79.5%) of patients had night pain and wake at night. Distal latency > (4.2ms) was positive generally in (84.9%) and it was positive bilateral in (56.2%) of the patients. Significant association with CTS was found between gender, obesity, diabetes mellitus, and to a less extent with Rheumatoid arthritis, Conclusion: High prevalence of bilateral CTS was found among most patients. Diabetes mellitus and obesity play a significant role in CTS. The severity of functional impairment was relatively moderate to severe.