Publication:

Quality of life of carpal tunnel syndrome with non operative treatment: cohort study

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral neuropathy entrapment and it interferes with the quality of life. Treatment for CTS can be divided into operative and non-operative treatment. Our objective was to compare the quality of life and pain intensity in a patient with CTS after oral treatment and local corticosteroid injection (LCI).

Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted in 18-65 years patients with CTS. Primary outcome was to compare the quality of life post oral treatment (NSAIDs, oral steroids, gabapentin) and LCI using the Short Form-36 questionnaire. Secondary output was to compare pain intensity using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). Mann-Whitney and independent t-test were used to assess the comparison between the treatment.

Results Sixty CTS patients were included in this study, with 32 patients (53.33%) assigned to LCI. After observation one month, statistical analysis showed that LCI improved the quality of life better than oral in physical function and bodily pain components (p = 0.036 and p = 0.047). Injection treatment decreased pain intensity more than oral not statistically significant after 14 days (p=0.087), but was significant after one month (p=0.002).

Conclusions Local corticosteroid injection improved quality of life and decreased pain intensity better than oral treatment after one month.