How valuable is screening for thyroid disease in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome?
BACKGROUND
It has been suggested that many patients with carpal tunnel syndrome have associated thyroid or other metabolic diseases.


METHODS
206 patients with clinical features suggestive of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), including those with known underlying cause of CTS, were screened for thyroid dysfunction. Nerve conduction studies were compatible with a diagnosis of CTS in 136 patients (CTS group).


RESULTS
We diagnosed only 2 new cases of hypothyroidism (1.5% of patients in the CTS group) and none with hyperthyroidism.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus routine screening of patients with isolated CTS for thyroid function abnormality does not appear to be worthwhile.
Suresh
Ernest
E
Rheumatic Diseases Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland. dr_esuresh@hotmail.com
Morris
Ian M
IM