Diabetes as a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aims: To assess whether diabetes increases the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome and to estimate the magnitude of the association with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

Methods: We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Google Scholar and ResearchGate for articles published between 1950 and January 2015. A total of 36 studies (eight cross-sectional, 21 case-control and seven cohort studies) qualified for meta-analysis. We used a random-effects meta-analysis and assessed heterogeneity and publication bias.

Results: The pooled odds ratio of 25 studies (including a total of 92 564 individuals) that reported unadjusted estimates for the association between diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel release was 1.97 (95% CI 1.56-2.49). The pooled odds ratio of 18 case-control or cohort studies consisting of >37 million individuals that reported estimates after controlling for potential confounders was 1.69 (95% CI 1.45-1.96). The association did not differ for Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, there was no publication bias.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis suggests that both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome.