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

ABSTRACT

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 13.1. 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