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.
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Roma, Italy.
L
L
Padua
R
R
Padua
M
M
LoMonaco
E
E
Romanini
P
P
Tonali
D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy