title: Does Hypothyroidism Affect Post-Operative Outcome of Patients Undergoing Carpal Tunnel Release?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Risk factors associated with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome include repetitive use of hand and wrist, advanced age, obesity, pregnancy, diabetes mellitus and thyroid disease. Decompression of the median nerve is the last treatment of choice usually indicated when negative results to conservative treatments remain for three months. In this study, we aimed to find out whether hypothyroid patients would respond to CTS surgical decompression differently in comparison to healthy individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  This case control study was conducted on patients with CTS in need of surgical release who were refered to Shahid Faghihi hospital, International Branch of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran from January 2013 to January 2015. Twenty-five hypothyroid and 22 euthyroid patients were recruited. Hypothyroidism was diagnosed based on clinical symptoms and serum TSH level. All patients were followed for three weeks after surgery and a Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) was completed for them pre and post operation. An electrophysiological study was performed during the same follow up period. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The CTS grade reported by electrophysiological study, decreased significantly 3 weeks after operation in comparison with preoperative grades (p<0.001). A significant decrease was observed in the immediate postoperative BCTQ scores compared to preoperative (p<0.001). Also a decrease was detected in the three weeks of postoperative follow up compared to immediate postoperative BCTQ scores (p<0.001) and preoperative BCTQ scores (p<0.001). Postoperative BCTQ scores of euthyroid patients decreased more in comparison to hypothyroid patients (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It seems that, hypothyroidism has an effect on postoperative outcome of carpal tunnel release.
authors: M.D., Physiatrist, Assistant Professor, Shiraz Burn Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Sharareh
authors: S
authors: Roshanzamir
authors: M.D., Student Research Committee, International Branch, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Sahameddin
authors: S
authors: Mortazavi
authors: M.D, Internist, Assistant Professor, Shiraz Endocrine and Metabolism Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Dabbaghmanesh
keywords: Boston carpal tunnel syndrome questionnaire; Carpal tunnel syndrome; Hypothyroidism