Original Paper

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Associations between Risk Factors and Laterality
Thomas Zambelis, Georgios Tsivgoulis, Nikolaos Karandreas

Department of Neurology, EMG Laboratory, University of Athens, Aeghinition Hospital, Athens, Greece

Address of Corresponding Author

Eur Neurol 2010;63:43-47 (DOI: 10.1159/000268165)

  Key Words

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Risk factors
• Laterality

  Abstract

Aims: The investigation of the association between known risk factors and laterality in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Patients and Methods: 130 consecutive subjects with CTS only, or mainly, in the left hand were compared with 130 consecutive subjects with CTS only, or mainly, in the right hand. The following parameters were recorded: age, sex, job, handedness, hand mainly used in daily activities, BMI, diabetes mellitus, thyroid dysfunction, wrist trauma and connective tissue diseases. Results: A left dominant hand was independently associated with 13-fold higher odds for left-hand CTS, while a right dominant hand had 5-fold higher odds for right-hand CTS. Right-hand CTS was more frequent in younger subjects and females. Conclusion: Older age, higher BMI and diabetes mellitus were more prevalent in patients with bilateral CTS. Age and BMI were independently associated with bilateral CTS.

Copyright © 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel

  Author Contacts

Thomas Zambelis
Aeghinition Hospital
72–74 Vass. Sophias ave.
GR–11528 Athens (Greece)
Tel./Fax +30 210 725 0410, E-Mail tzabelis@med.uoa.gr

  Article Information

Received: July 6, 2009
Accepted: September 30, 2009
Published online: December 23, 2009
Number of Print Pages : 5
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 5, Number of References : 27