Publication:

A study on carpal tunnel syndrome among diabetes patients in tertiary care hospital

Background The carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the major problems in diabetes mellitus. There are certain risk factors like age, sex, status of diabetes influence the occurrence of carpal tunnel syndrome among diabetes.

Methods This study was conducted among 106 diabetes patients attending tertiary care hospital diabetes OPD to find out occurrence of CTS. The patients were selected randomly. The clinical examination of CTS along with electro diagnostic study was done. The blood investigation like blood sugar, HbA1c and Thyroid function were performed. The statistical analysis as Chi-square test was applied.

Results Among the study population 56% were female and 44% were male. The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome was 19.8% according to electro diagnostic study among diabetes patients. The carpal tunnel syndrome found in 29% of the female compare to 9% among male, this increase occurrence in female was statistically significant. This study found out the uncontrolled diabetes was one of the major risk factor for CTS.

Conclusions The uncontrolled diabetes rather than duration of the diabetes is also major cause for CTS. It is the duty of the physician and the patient to control the diabetes to prevent the CTS.