Case-Control Study on Individual Risk Factors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Bangladeshi Population

Abstract

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a symptomatic compression neuropathy of the median nerve at the level of the wrist, physiologically characterized by increased pressure within the carpal tunnel and a decreased function of the nerve at that level. With the prevalence estimated between 7% and 18% of the adult population, CTS is the most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremities. It is the most common neuro-compressive disease. Objective: To assess the individual risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome In Bangladeshi Population. Materials and Methods: The present case-control study was conduct at the Dept. of Neurology, Uttara Adhunik Medical College Hospital (UAMCH), Uttara, Dhaka, Bangladesh from January 2019 to December 2021. 3019 patients included in our study and who were diagnosed in the 84% of patients were aged 41-70 years both case and control groups. Both groups filled out a standardized questionnaire, and a standardized patient record was filled out by Neurology Department. In addition, participants with jobs involving lifting and carrying of loads were interviewed. The incidence of CTS in middle aged women was significantly higher than that in men. Results: In our study 3019 patients who were diagnosed in the 84% of patients were aged 41-70 years. Among these patients, there were 756 CTS patients aged 41-70 years without any other diseases which could cause numbness as the case group. Then there were 2263 non-CTS outpatients involved as the control group. The average BMI in case group was 22.79±2.60 and 21.49±5.03 in control group with significant difference (P<0.01). The results showed that sex, age, smoking, wrist injury, diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism and wrist working are all risk factors of CTS. Hypertension could be a protection factor of CTS in early phase but will increase the risk in a long-term high blood pressure. Smoking, alcohol and diabetes mellitus can be predictors of moderate and severe CTS. ......................