The British Journal of Rheumatology, Vol 37, 630-635, Copyright © 1998 by British Society for Rheumatology
S Ferry, T Pritchard, J Keenan, P Croft and AJ Silman
The objectives of this study were to determine the point prevalence of
neurophysiologically defined median nerve compression and associated carpal
tunnel syndrome in a random sample of the general population. The design
was a two-stage screening study: (i) a cross-sectional survey to estimate
the point prevalence of current hand symptoms; (ii) nerve conduction
testing of the median nerve in weighted samples of the survey respondents.
The target study population was a random sample of 1000 adults aged between
18 and 75 yr registered with a family practice in the UK. A mailed
questionnaire enquired about hand symptoms on the day and included various
demographic questions. Weighted random samples were taken based on the hand
symptoms reported, and the subjects were invited to attend for motor and
sensory median nerve conduction testing. A neurophysiological diagnosis of
median nerve compression was made based on a number of different cut-offs
using published criteria. Of those receiving a questionnaire, 79%
responded. A total of 250 responders were invited to attend for nerve
conduction testing, of whom 155 (62%) attended. Non-response to the
questionnaire and non- attendance for nerve conduction testing may have
biased the prevalence estimates. After adjustment for such biases, a
prevalence estimate of between 7 and 16% was obtained, varying with the
different cut-offs used to define delayed median nerve conduction. Subjects
over 54 yr of age had a higher prevalence than younger participants. There
was no difference in prevalence estimates between men and women. The
conclusion reached was that carpal tunnel syndrome, as assessed by delayed
median nerve conduction, is common in the general population.
ORIGINAL PAPERS
Estimating the prevalence of delayed median nerve conduction in the general population
ARC Epidemiology Research Unit, University of Manchester.
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