Carpal tunnel syndrome: Investigating the sensitivity of initial-diagnosis with electro-diagnostic tests in 600 cases and associated risk factors especially manual milking
Affiliations: [a] Clinic of Neurology, Adatıp Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey | [b] Clinic of Neurology, Sakarya University Education and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Electro-diagnostic studies are the most reliable
methods in diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Although there are
many risk factors associated with CTS, there are a limited number of studies
in the literature indicating that manual milking, which is frequently seen
in Turkey, is a risk factor for CTS. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate demographic
findings of cases referred due to initial diagnosis of CTS as well as
aetiological data especially manual milking and to investigate the
sensitivity of initial diagnosis of CTS. METHODS: Six hundred patients, who were referred to our
electromyography laboratory due to initial diagnosis of CTS, were included.
Demographic findings, duration of complaints, existence of diabetes
mellitus, and manual milking histories of all patients were recorded.
Sensitivity of initial diagnosis was investigated based on
electro-diagnostic test results. RESULTS: According to electro-diagnostic test results, 289 of the
patients were diagnosed with CTS (48.17%). 110 (18.3%) of 600 patients
had a history of manual milking. In 94 of this group (85.4%), CTS was
detected. Statistically significant correlation was found between CTS and
age, female gender, duration of complaints, obesity and manual milking. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that manual milking is an
important risk factor for CTS in addition to female gender, age, symptom
duration and obesity. The fact that sensitivity of initial diagnosis of CTS
was found to be low according to electro-diagnostic test results indicates
importance of detailed clinical evaluation.
