Epidemiological study and relationship of clinical symptoms with nerve and muscle findings in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome referred to physical medicine clinic of Birjand University of Medical Sciences in 2023

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral nerve compression neuropathy that causes many social and occupational problems for individuals. The epidemiology of the disease has not been investigated in South Khorasan province; therefore, this study aimed to investigate the epidemiological and clinical symptoms and the relationship between the nerve and muscle findings of patients with CTS referred to the physical medicine clinic of Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran, in 2023. In this descriptive and analytical study, 159 hands with CTS referred to the Physical Medicine Clinic of Imam Reza Birjand Hospital were examined in 2023. Demographic information, body mass index, history of previous diseases, dominant hand, affected hand, duration of involvement, and clinical symptoms, including night pain or pain during activity, numbness and tingling, and muscle atrophy of the thenar region were investigated, and recorded in the checklist. The severity of median nerve involvement in CTS syndrome was recorded using nerve conduction study and electromyography (NCS-EMG) with nemous electromyography divice and classifieds according to last guideline in Electrodiagnostic Medicine (2nd edition) book. The mean age of patients was 51.01±13.5 years, which was more common in women. It was more prevalent in the age group of 50-60 years. Numbness was the most common symptom. Frequency distribution of CTS severity had a significant relationship with age group, pain during sleep and work, paresthesia, and muscle atrophy (P<0.05). Necessary information should be given to health centers and housewives so that suspected patients can be referred to the centers for early treatment and prevention from the disease progression and additional burden on the health system.