ABSTRACT
Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) represents 90% of entrapment neuropathies. Severity may be greater in older patients. Aim: To describe the electrophysiological findings in adult patients with CTS and determine if severity is related to age. Material and Methods: Descriptive and retrospective study of electrophysiological findings in patients over 18 years of age with clinical suspicion of CTS, studied between January 2011 and December 2015. Neurophysiological severity was classified in 3 grades, comparing them by age, gender and laterality. Results: Of 1156 patients subjected to electrophysiological studies due to a clinical suspicion of CTS, 690 (60%) had electrophysiological features of the disease. In 274 patients (24%) the compromise was mild, in 162 (14%) it was moderate and in 254 (22%) it was severe. There was a positive association between age and CTS severity (p < 0.01). Severity was significantly greater in males than females (p < 0.01). Bilateral CTS was present in 471 patients (68%), which was associated with increased age and severity (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Electrophysiological severity in CTS increases with age. Other factors associated with higher severity are male gender and bilateral disease.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adolescent , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Young Adult , Severity of Illness Index , Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/physiopathology , Age Factors , Electromyography , Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/diagnosis , Sex Factors , Retrospective Studies , Median Nerve/physiopathology , Neural ConductionABSTRACT
Background: According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, suicide is one of the five leading causes of death among people aged l5-24 years. Suicide rates in Chile among young people have been increasing. In 1990 and 2005, the prevalence of suicide was 8.8 percent and 9.3 percent per 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. Aitns: To determine the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt rates among teenagers aged 14 and 19 years, living in Metropolitan Santiago and analyze the factors related to suicide. Material and Methods: A self administered enquiry, containing a depression scale and five questions about suicide tendency, was applied to a representative sample of teenagers aged between 14 and 19 years, attending public and private schools in Metropolitan Santiago. Results: The enquiry was answered by 1567 teenagers aged between 14 and 20 years (54 percent males). Sixty two percent recognized suicidal ideation and 19 percent, suicidal attempts. These figures were significantly higher among women and those attending public schools. Sixteen years old adolescents had the highest rates of suicidal ideation and attempts. Conclusions: There is a high rate of suicidal ideation and attempts among teenagers living in Metropolitan Santiago.