title: Utility of nerve conduction studies for carpal tunnel syndrome by family medicine, primary care, and internal medicine physicians.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: NeuroMetrix, Inc., Waltham, MA 02451, USA.
authors.forename: J Thomas
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Megerian
authors.forename: Xuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Shai N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Gozani
mesh_terms: 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