title: Value of F-wave inversion in diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and it's relation with anthropometric measurements.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The clinical importance of F-wave inversion in the diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is not yet well known.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to investigate the value of F-wave inversion in diagnosing CTS, and to evaluate the relationship of F-wave inversion with age, gender, diabetes mellitus, body mass index (BMI), wrist or waist circumferences.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n=744) who were considered to have CTS with clinical findings were included in the study. In order to confirm the diagnosis of CTS, standard electrophysiological parameters were studied with electroneuromyography. In addition, median nerve F-wave measurements were done and we determined if F-wave inversion was present or not. Sensitivity and specificity of F-wave inversion were investigated for its value in showing CTS diagnosed by electrophysiological examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CTS diagnosis was confirmed by routine electrophysiological parameters in 307 (41.3%) patients. The number of the patients with the presence of F-wave inversion was 243 (32.7%). Sensitivity of F-wave inversion was found as 56% and specificity as 83.8%. BMI and wrist circumference values were significantly higher in patients with F-wave inversion present than those with F-wave inversion absent (p=0.0033, p=0.025 respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  F-wave inversion can be considered as a valuable electrophysiological measurement for screening of CTS.
authors.affiliation: Ankara Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Neurology Section, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hatice Ferhan
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Komurcu
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health, Gulhane Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Selim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kilic
authors.affiliation: Ankara Ataturk Education and Research Hospital, Neurology Section, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Omer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Anlar
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference / Q000502:physiology; D014955:Wrist Joint
keywords: F-wave inversion; anthropometric measurements; body mass index; carpal tunnel syndrome; median nerve; ulnar nerve