Analysis of Demographic Data of Patients with Idiopathic Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Evaluation of Relationship with Depression and Anxiety

INTRODUCTION: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy. In this study, it was planned to determine the correlation of electrophysiological findings with the functional limitation detected after the complaints described by the patients and neurological examinations.
METHODS: A total of 180 patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome with electrophysiologically diagnosed CTS were included in the study. A neurologic examination was performed and Tinel and Phalen's sign, numbness, pain and awakening from sleep at night were noted.
RESULTS: 23.3% of the cases were male and 76.7% were female. In addition, correlations were found between electrophysiologic staging and BMI, VAS scale, BDI and BAI scales. VAS scores, BDI and BAI scores were found to be statistically significantly higher in patients with right hand CTS involvement than in patients with Stage 4 and Stage 5 CTS. Similarly, BDI and VAS scores and BMI were found to be statistically higher in cases with Stage 4 and Stage 5 left hand CTS involvement. Among the provocation tests, Tinel's test was found to be positive in 77 cases and Phalen's test in 45 cases, while Tinel's test was statistically significantly more positive in women. There was no statistically significant difference between female and male patients in terms of BMI, Beck Depression, Anxiety and VAS measurements (p>0.05).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In this study, high levels of anxiety and depressive mood were found in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Anxiety and depressive mood should not be ignored in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.