Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

Abstract

Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most frequent extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Aim and objectives to assess the presence and severity of Carpal tunnel syndrome in rheumatoid arthritis patients and its relation to disease activity. Patients and Methods This is observational cross sectional study, was carried out 30 rheumatoid arthritis patients recruited from Ain Shams University Hospital)inpatient internal medicine department and rheumotology outpatient clinic) in the period from November (2018) till November (2020). Result Only ultrasound assesment of CTS by measuring Of CSA>10 at wrist showed significant positive correlation with RA Patients ages, RA disease duration, CTS symptoms duration, CRP, RF and anti ccp positivity and negative correlation with HB% indicating association with disease compare to others activity. Conclusion CTS frequency in RA is found higher than normal population, especially in patients with additional risk factors of CTS. There was no relationship between CTS and disease activity, and CTS group had long disease duration and worse functional status. CTS could be a result of the chronic course in RA.