title: Hypothyroidism and carpal tunnel syndrome: a meta-analysis.
abstract: This study aimed to assess the magnitude of the association between hypothyroidism and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Eighteen studies were included in a random-effects meta-analysis. A meta-analysis of the studies that did not control their estimates for any confounder showed an association between a thyroid disease (hypo- or hyperthyroidism) and CTS (N = 9,573, effect size [ES] = 1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.68) and between hypothyroidism and CTS (N = 64,531, ES = 2.15 [95% CI, 1.64-2.83]). When a meta-analysis limited to the studies that controlled their estimates for some potential confounders, the association between a thyroid disease and CTS disappeared (N = 4,799, ES = 1.17 [95% CI, 0.71-1.92], I(2) = 0%), and the effect size for hypothyroidism largely attenuated (N = 71,133, ES = 1.44 [95% CI, 1.27-1.63], I(2) = 0%). Moreover, there was evidence of publication bias. This meta-analysis found only a modest association between hypothyroidism and CTS. Confounding and publication bias may still account for part of the remaining excess risk.
authors.affiliation: Centre of Expertise for Health and Work Ability, and Disability Prevention Centre, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Topeliuksenkatu 41 a A, FI-00250 Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Rahman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Shiri
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D017594:Publication Bias; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; hyperthyroidism; hypothyroidism; median nerve; meta-analysis; myxedema