Síndrome del túnel carpiano: análisis epidemiológico de los casos atendidos en los servicios hospitalarios de México

Abstract

Background and objectiveCarpal tunnel syndrome is the most common neuropathy of the peripheral nervous system and upper limb. Not with standing the studies conducted worldwide, some authors suggest more research for a better understanding of carpal tunnel syndrome incidence and prevalence. The objective is to analyze the caseload of carpal tunnel syndrome in Mexico during the period between 2011 and 2017. Materials and methodsAn epidemiological, observational, cross-sectional, and retrospective study was conducted using cases of carpal tunnel syndrome that required hospital care and were recorded in the hospital discharge database of the Ministry of Health between 2011 and 2017. Variables such as sex, weight, height, the Mexican state where the care was provided, the hospital service providing the care, admission and discharge diagnosis, date of care, and the number of days of hospital stay were included. The statistical analyses were carried out with STATA® 14. ResultsDuring the study period, 3,459 patients were treated, there being 494.1±51.73 (492.41-495.86) cases per year. The frequency of cases was higher among women (87.42%) than among men (12.5%). The mean age was 49.07 (±12.29) years. By age group a higher frequency of cases was observed in the groups aged from 40-49 and 50-59. The mean body mass index was 27.78±5.35 and two-thirds of the patients were overweight or obese. ConclusionsCarpal tunnel syndrome is more common in women, in people between the ages of 40 and 59, and in people who are overweight or obese.