Italian multicentre study of carpal tunnel syndrome: study design. Italian CTS Study Group.
In September 1996, during a carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symposium, the Italian CTS Study Group was funded. The group designed a strict clinical and neurophysiological protocol for performing a wide multicentre study on idiopathic CTS in hands. In addition to the traditional evaluations, the group also adopted a validated patient-oriented measurement in order to obtain comprehensive and reliable data for the clinical picture. The study was designed to: (1) better assess the clinical picture of the CTS population, especially using new measurement tools (patient-oriented); (2) evaluate the sensitivity of an electrodiagnostic protocol; (3) re-evaluate the validity of a neurophysiological classification; and (4) evaluate the influence of social status and quantify some of the aspects regarding economic and social costs. The study design is described.
Padua
L
L
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Roma, Italy.
Padua
R
R
LoMonaco
M
M
Romanini
E
E
Tonali
P
P
D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy