Prevalence and Risk Factors of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Diabetic Patients

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetic patients. METHOD: Electrodiagnostic study was performed to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome and polyneuropathy in 266 (male 151, female 115) diabetic patients. General charateristics, diabetes related factors, anthropometric factors were compared between non-carpal tunnel syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome groups to identify the risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome. RESULTS: Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetic patients was 16.2 % (43 subjects). Female, farming, wrist depth width ratio (>or=0.7) were associated with carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetic patients. In right hand, odds ratio was 12.82 (95% confidence interval 2.97~55.3) in female, 5.15 (95% confidence interval 1.17~22.7) in farming, 28.53 (95% confidence interval 1.80~451.1) in wrist depth width ratio (>or=0.7). The similar results were also observed in left hand. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that occupation, sex, and anthropometric factor like wrist shape were more associated with carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetic patients than diabetes mellitus itself.