title: Hand Shape and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
abstract: The literature evaluating external anatomical measurements and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) remains inconclusive. The purpose of this study was to compare hand- shape measurements of patients with and without (CTS). A retrospective case - control study of participants with suspected CTS (male/female ratio of 0.69) was performed. Nerve conduction tests (NCT) defined 65 involved hands (CTS) and 73 control hands. The relationship between 3 different hand index ratios (measuring palm length and width) and CTS (defined by NCT) was evaluated using Generalized Estimating Equations model (GEE) with the binary outcome of CTS. Palmar Length/Palmar Width index had the strongest and negative association with CTS with greatest sensitivity and specificity to detect CTS. Hands with more square shape had increased tendency to be diagnosed with CTS. Hand indices that include the shape of the palm may help identify patients with greater likelihood of developing CTS for early screening and prevention.
authors.forename: Mithun
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Neral
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Winger
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Imbriglia
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA USA Plastic Surgery, Pittsburgh, PA, United States.
authors.forename: Ronit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Wollstein
mesh_terms: D019540:Area Under Curve; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006225:Hand / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity