Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral neuropathy affecting patients at productive age and has an important economical impact on those who suffer it. This study assessed the diagnostic performance of carpal tunnel syndrome´s signs and described the epidemiology at a tertiary care center in Mexico City.
Methods: All patients diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome during a five-year period were included. Demographic data, electromyography results, positive clinical signs and the severity score according to the Italian scale were recorded. Diagnostic accuracy of Tinel and Phalen´s signs were calculated via odds ratio.
Results: Totally, 650 patients were diagnosed and treated during a five-year period, 84% were female and 16% male, and the mean age was 55.8 years. The associated comorbidities were trigger finger (36.1%), thyroid disease (25.6%) and diabetes (20%). Diagnosis yielded for Phalen and Tinel signs were variable in each of the study groups (males and females) and showed to be beneficial in diagnosis of the disease.
Conclusion: Carpal tunnel syndrome is a complex disease in which clinical signs remain the cornerstone of diagnosis. Extension studies are useful to assess the severity of the disease.
Keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Neuropathy; Phalen; Tinel.