Carpal tunnel syndrome: associations between risk factors and laterality.

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.