title: Functional status measured by Levine questionnaire in surgically and conservatively treated patients with carpal tunnel syndrome regarding nerve conduction studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate and compare the functional status in surgically treated patients with Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) compared with those treated conservatively by Levine Questionnaire (LQ) in relation to electroneurographic findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  The prospective study included 80 patients with diagnosed CTS. Patients were assessed clinically and electrophysiologically. The main outcome measures were sensory latency of median nerve (SL II), and terminal (distal) motor latency of median nerve (TML). For the assessment of functional status we performed Levine Questionnaire (LQ) scoring examination which was divided in two sections: symptoms severity scale (SSS) and functional status scale (FSS). Regarding treatment options patients were divided into 2 groups: group that underwent surgical procedure (Group A) and group that underwent only conservative treatment (Group B). Patients were assessed neurophysiologically twice: before treatment and 12 months after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There is significant increase in LQ-FSS (p=0.021) and LQ-SSS (p=0.038) scores for increased TML and significant increase of LQ-SSS scores (p=0.027) for increased SL II for Group A, while in Group B, LQ-FSS (p=0.034) and LQ-SSS (p=0.018) were significantly increased in patients with increased SL II. After treatment there was significant increase in LQ-FSS (p=0.037) and LQ-SSS (p=0.041) scores for increased SL II for Group B, while in Group A after treatment, we have noticed non-significant differences both regarding TML and SL II values.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have demonstrated the benefits of surgical treatment and better functional improvement with symptoms reduction particularly in more severe cases of patients with CTS.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Carpal tunnel syndrome, Conservative treatment.
authors.forename: Marija
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hrkovic
authors.forename: Milica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lazovic
authors.forename: Dejan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nikolic
authors.forename: Ljubica
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nikcevic
authors.forename: Olivera
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ilic-Stojanovic
authors.forename: Tamara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Filipovic
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D000072700:Conservative Treatment; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; D006801:Humans; D009431:Neural Conduction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index