title: How valuable is screening for thyroid disease in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome?
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Rheumatic Diseases Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland. dr_esuresh@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ernest
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Suresh
authors.forename: Ian M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Morris