Demographic pattern and clinical features of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome presenting to orthopedic outpatient clinics in a military hospital in Kuwait

Carpal tunnel syndrome [CTS] is the most common entrapment neuropathy. Our aim was to provide data about the demographic pattern and clinical features of this syndrome among patients in Kuwait, and compare it to data from other countries. Retrospective review of patients' medical records. Jaber Al-Ahmad Armed Forces hospital, Kuwait. A retrospective review of the medical records of 175 Kuwaiti patients diagnosed with CTS at Jaber Al-Ahmad Armed Forces hospital in Kuwait between January 2006 and December 2010 was done. The diagnosis was based on history, physical examination and electrodiagnostic studies. Results are presented using frequencies and percentages. Demographic and clinical features of patients with CTS. Out of the 175 cases, 132 [75.4%] were females, with a male to female ratio of 1:3.1. The mean age was 43.68 years [range 25-70 years], peaking between 46 to 50 years [40; 22.9%]. All the patients complained of nocturnal symptoms, while 173 [98.35] had daytime symptoms. Physical examination revealed abnormal sensation, positive Phalen's test, positive Tinel sign, thenar muscle wasting and decreased power of thenar muscles in 150 [85.7%], 161 [92.0%], 129 [73.7%], 17 [9.7%] and 91 [52.0%] patients respectively. involvement was bilateral in 141 [80.6%] patients. The most common cause / risk factor of CTS in this sample was obesity [66; 37.7%]. The demographic pattern and clinical features of this sample of CTS patients in Kuwait are similar to what was found elsewhere

Self-confidence of medical students in performing clinical skills acquired during their surgical rotation assessing clinical skills education in Kuwait

To assess the self-confidence of clinical years' medical students in performing clinical skills/ procedures. A cross-sectional study was conducted in April 2011 at the Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Health Sciences Center, Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait. A questionnaire was used to collect data from students who had completed their surgical rotation of their first clinical year. The students reported their level of self-confidence in performing specific skills/procedures related to that rotation. Data were presented using frequencies and percentages. A total score of confidence was calculated for each student. The Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess the association between the students' sociodemographic characteristics and confidence score. Of the 122 students invited to participate in the study, only 15 [12.3%] declined to comply. Most students reported high confidence level [>75%] in performing 7 of the 13 history taking/physical examination skills, and 2 of the 39 diagnostic/ treatment procedure skills. The highest confidence level was in performing abdominal examination, while the lowest level was in care of Jackson-Pratt drain site and emptying the drain bulb. The total confidence score was significantly higher among males [p=0.021], and students with higher monthly income [p=0.002]. Medical students appeared to have poor self-confidence in performing clinical skills/ procedures. Curriculum planners should explore potential reasons, and methods for the improvement of confidence level among medical students in performing skills/procedures they were expected to learn during their surgical rotation