Utility of nerve conduction studies for carpal tunnel syndrome by family medicine, primary care, and internal medicine physicians.
BACKGROUND
Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are increasingly being performed at the point-of-service by family medicine, primary care, and internal medicine (FM/PCP/IM) physicians. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neuropathy often diagnosed with the aid of NCS.


METHODS
A retrospective analysis of a point-of-service NCS data registry was conducted; 1190 patients who underwent NCS by 613 FM/PCP/IM physician practices, for evaluation of CTS were analyzed. Utility measures included demographic and electrophysiological characteristics of study population, adherence to evidence-based testing guidelines, and relevance of diagnostic outcomes.


RESULTS
Tested patients tended to be over 40, female, and overweight or obese. The median nerve distal motor latency was 4.4 +/- 1.2 ms; 92.6% of studies met the testing guideline; 30.5% of tested limbs yielded normal results; 53.1% CTS; 5.4% ulnar neuropathy; and 11.0% nonspecific upper extremity neuropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrated that point-of-service NCS by FM/PCP/IM physicians for CTS was applied to appropriate patient subpopulations, was performed in accordance with evidence-based testing parameters, and generated relevant diagnostic outcomes.
Megerian
J Thomas
JT
NeuroMetrix, Inc., Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
Kong
Xuan
X
Gozani
Shai N
SN
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014459:Ulnar Nerve