title: Observational multicentric survey on carpal tunnel syndrome: demographic and clinical data from 34 Italian centers.
abstract: To evaluate the current management of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) at a national level.
  
  
  
  A multicentric observational study was conducted in 34 Italian centers by specialists participating in the Management of Peripheral Neuropathies Study Group on 377 patients (age, mean±SD 56±14.4 years, 73.2% females) with CTS. The characteristics of the disease and its management were recorded at baseline and during a 2-month follow-up using a standardized clinical record and assessed with validated clinical tests.
  
  
  
  A wide variability in the interventions prescribed and classified according to three categories (physical, pharmacological and neurotrophic therapies) was evident. A subgroup of 303 patients was treated with a combination of neurotrophic agents containing alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). At the end of the follow-up, a general improvement in symptoms and functional impairment was observed, with a significant reduction in BCTQ (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire) (p<0.001) and in NRS (Pain Numeric Rating Scale, p<0.001 for both nocturnal and diurnal pain).
  
  
  
  An appropriate approach to CTS implies a multimodal and multidisciplinary management, involving several specialists and using a variety of conservative interventions. Conservative (physical and pharmacological) interventions can provide a clinical improvement in patients with CTS.
authors.affiliation: Rimini Rehabilitation and Surgery Hand Center, Rimini, Italy. riccardoluchetti53@gmail.com.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Luchetti
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tognon
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cacciavillani
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ronco
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Buzzelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lanni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D008063:Thioctic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D008063:Thioctic Acid