title: Predicting the result of nerve conduction tests in carpal tunnel syndrome using a questionnaire.
abstract: We performed a study to determine whether the results of a questionnaire could be used to predict the results of nerve conduction tests in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome. Two hundred and eleven consecutive patients underwent electrophysiological testing, and completed the questionnaire designed by Kamath and Stothard. Two questionnaire threshold scores were identified, which classified with high sensitivity and high specificity those patients who had normal, and abnormal nerve conduction tests respectively. Patients who scored greater than 6 on the questionnaire could be classified with 87% specificity as having abnormal tests, and patients scoring below 3 on the questionnaire could be classified with 87% sensitivity as having normal studies. We suggest therefore that patients who score above 6, or below 3 on this questionnaire may not need to be referred for nerve conduction tests, as the result can be predicted with adequate accuracy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, County Durham and Darlington Foundation Trust, County Durham, DL3 6HX, UK. Matt.Bridges@cddft.nhs.uk
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bridges
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Robertson
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Chuck
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires