Individual risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome: an evaluation of body mass index, wrist index and hand anthropometric measurements.
In this study we aimed to identify the role of the body mass index (BMI), wrist index and hand anthropometric measures as risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in both genders. Based on clinical and electrophysiologic diagnostic criteria, 154 female and 44 male CTS patients, as well as 150 female and 44 male age-matched control subjects, were selected. BMI, wrist index, hand shape index, digit index and hand length/height ratio were compared between the CTS patients and the control subjects for each gender separately. Mean BMI was found to be a significant risk factor for CTS in both genders. The wrist index was found to be higher in female (P < 0.001) and in male (P = 0.034) CTS groups than in the respective control groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed the wrist index to be an independent risk factor in females, but not in males. Shape and digit indices were significantly higher in female CTS patients than in corresponding control subjects, and regression analysis showed the shape and digit indices to be independent risk factors for CTS. In the male CTS group, the shape and digit indices did not significantly differ from their controls. Differences in the hand length/height ratio were not statistically significant in female and male CTS patients compared to their controls and it was not found to be an independent risk factor for CTS. Our study confirmed BMI as an independent risk factor for CTS in both genders. Hand and wrist anthropometrics were found to be independent risk factors for CTS in females, but not in males.
Department of Neurology, Medical Faculty of Karadeniz Technical University, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey. cboz@meds.ktu.edu.tr
Cavit
C
Boz
Mehmet
M
Ozmenoglu
Vildan
V
Altunayoglu
Sibel
S
Velioglu
Zekeriya
Z
Alioglu
D000200:Action Potentials; D000328:Adult; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005385:Fingers / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D014953:Wrist / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology