title: Seasonal variation in prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The influence of cold temperatures on neuropathies has been reported previously, but its impact on carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not well analyzed.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the frequency of CTS among neurophysiological evaluations according to seasonal variation in 9574 consecutive patients (4260 with CTS).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher frequency of CTS was found in the winter (50.8%), and the lowest number for CTS diagnosis was found in the summer (38.9%). In both autumn and spring the prevalence remained stable at an intermediate level between summer and winter at 42.8% and 43.5%, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CTS frequency was much higher in winter in this center.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul PUCRS, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
authors.forename: Renata Siciliani
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Scalco
authors.forename: Franciane
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pietroski
authors.forename: Luiz Felippe S
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Celli
authors.forename: Irenio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.forename: Jefferson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Becker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002648:Child; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D055815:Young Adult