title: A self-administered hand diagram for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: A self-administered hand diagram has been developed to assist in the evaluation of upper extremity paresthesias. A rating system was devised to classify diagrams into four categories: classic, probable, possible, or unlikely carpal tunnel syndrome. Diagram ratings of 63 patients (85 hands) evaluated in a hand clinic were compared with diagnoses established independent of diagram results by objective clinical criteria. The sensitivity of diagrams rated classic or probable was 80% and specificity was 90%. We conclude that the hand diagram is valuable in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome among patients with upper extremity paresthesias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Mass.
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Stirrat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010358:Patient Participation