title: Carpal tunnel syndrome: Investigating the sensitivity of initial-diagnosis with electro-diagnostic tests in 600 cases and associated risk factors especially manual milking.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Electro-diagnostic studies are the most reliable methods in diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Although there are many risk factors associated with CTS, there are a limited number of studies in the literature indicating that manual milking, which is frequently seen in Turkey, is a risk factor for CTS.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate demographic findings of cases referred due to initial diagnosis of CTS as well as aetiological data especially manual milking and to investigate the sensitivity of initial diagnosis of CTS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six hundred patients, who were referred to our electromyography laboratory due to initial diagnosis of CTS, were included. Demographic findings, duration of complaints, existence of diabetes mellitus, and manual milking histories of all patients were recorded. Sensitivity of initial diagnosis was investigated based on electro-diagnostic test results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  According to electro-diagnostic test results, 289 of the patients were diagnosed with CTS (48.17%). 110 (18.3%) of 600 patients had a history of manual milking. In 94 of this group (85.4%), CTS was detected. Statistically significant correlation was found between CTS and age, female gender, duration of complaints, obesity and manual milking.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms that manual milking is an important risk factor for CTS in addition to female gender, age, symptom duration and obesity. The fact that sensitivity of initial diagnosis of CTS was found to be low according to electro-diagnostic test results indicates importance of detailed clinical evaluation.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Neurology, Adatıp Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Abdulkadir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tunç
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Neurology, Sakarya University Education and Research Hospital, Sakarya, Turkey.
authors.forename: Belma Doğan
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Güngen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D014421:Turkey; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Carpal tunnel syndrome; diagnosis; electromyography; manual milking