Alamir Moaath A, Alfouzan Rakan K, Alhumaidan Abdullah, Abozaid Hesham S, Alhudhaif Hamad M, Alsuhaim Rakan, Alkholaifi Mohammed A
Department of Surgery, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, SAU.
Department of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University, Riyadh, SAU.
Cureus. 2023 Nov 28;15(11):e49544. doi: 10.7759/cureus.49544. eCollection 2023 Nov.
Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a common and often underdiagnosed condition, imposes a significant burden on individuals, particularly in middle-aged populations. This study aims to assess the awareness and prevalence of CTS among middle-aged residents in Riyadh, highlighting the crucial need for targeted educational initiatives to address knowledge gaps. Methodology A cross-sectional study design was employed to capture a snapshot of CTS awareness and prevalence among the middle-aged population in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Participants aged 40-60 residing in Riyadh were included. A self-reported questionnaire gathered data on demographics, CTS diagnosis, and awareness levels regarding symptoms, risk factors, treatment, and the impact of CTS. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and Chi-squared tests. Results We collected 415 valid responses to the questionnaire. The demographic profile revealed a balanced gender distribution, with 48.4% (n=201) males and 51.6% (n=214) females, and a majority (66.5%; n=276) within the 40-50 age range. A substantial 87.2% (n=362) reported no prior CTS diagnosis. Neuroimaging studies were infrequently conducted at 15.9% (n=66). Participants exhibited significant knowledge gaps, notably in the awareness of CTS diagnosis 66.3% (n=275) uncertainty, symptoms 55.4% (n=230) lack of knowledge, and risk factors 54.7% (n=227) lack of awareness. The results indicated uncertainty regarding the relationship between CTS and diabetes 63.9% (n=265) and knowledge gaps on anesthesia methods for CTS operations 64.1% (n=294). The association between age and CTS diagnosis was significant (p-value 0.004), while awareness did not significantly vary with gender or age. Conclusion This study unveils a substantial lack of awareness about CTS among the middle-aged population in Riyadh, emphasizing the need for targeted educational interventions. The prevalence of CTS remains underreported, with a notable gap in understanding symptoms, risk factors, and available treatments; the findings underscore the vital importance of targeted educational programs designed to raise public awareness, bridge information gaps, and empower individuals to make informed decisions about their hand health.
背景 腕管综合征（CTS）是一种常见且常被漏诊的疾病，给个人带来了沉重负担，尤其是在中年人群体中。本研究旨在评估利雅得中年居民对CTS的知晓率和患病率，强调开展有针对性的教育举措以弥补知识差距的迫切需求。
方法 采用横断面研究设计，以获取沙特阿拉伯利雅得中年人群体中CTS知晓率和患病率的概况。纳入居住在利雅得、年龄在40至60岁之间的参与者。通过一份自我报告问卷收集有关人口统计学、CTS诊断以及对症状、风险因素、治疗和CTS影响的知晓水平的数据。统计分析包括描述性统计和卡方检验。
结果 我们共收集到415份有效问卷回复。人口统计学资料显示性别分布均衡，男性占48.4%（n = 201），女性占51.6%（n = 214），且大多数（66.5%；n = 276）在40至50岁年龄范围内。高达87.2%（n = 362）的人报告此前未被诊断出患有CTS。神经影像学检查很少进行，占15.9%（n = 66）。参与者存在明显的知识差距，尤其是在CTS诊断知晓方面，66.3%（n = 275）不确定，症状方面55.4%（n = 230）缺乏了解，风险因素方面54.7%（n = 227）不了解。结果表明，63.9%（n = 265）的人对CTS与糖尿病之间的关系不确定，64.1%（n = 294）的人对CTS手术的麻醉方法存在知识空白。年龄与CTS诊断之间存在显著关联（p值为0.004），而知晓率在性别和年龄方面无显著差异。
结论 本研究揭示了利雅得中年人群体对CTS的知晓率严重不足，强调了开展有针对性教育干预的必要性。CTS的患病率仍未得到充分报告，在症状、风险因素和可用治疗方法的理解方面存在明显差距；研究结果强调了开展有针对性教育项目的至关重要性，这些项目旨在提高公众意识、弥合信息差距，并使个人能够就手部健康做出明智决策。
