Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common form of localized peripheral neuropathy. CTS and cervical radiculopathy (CR) often co-occur, known as double crush syndrome (DCS).

Aim: This study aimed at determining frequency of CR in patients with CTS referred to electrodiagnosis department of Rasht Imam Reza clinic.

Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study on 117 patients with CTS referred to Imam Reza clinic. The patients’ data were recorded through a questionnaire including electrodiagnosis test results, patients’ demographic data, medical history and disease primary diagnosis and related results, electromyogram (EMG)/nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests results. NCV test shows CTS type (unilateral and bilateral) as well as its severity, while EMG test determines co-occurrence of CR and CTS, type and severity of DCS. Finally, the data were entered into SPSS 19, and analyzed using statistical tests.

Results: Out of 117 patients with primary diagnosis of CTS, 21 patients (17.9%) were male and 96 patients (82.1%) were female, with a mean age of 46.5 years. The highest frequency (41.5%) in patients with CTS belonged to housewives. 48 (41%) patients had bilateral CTS and 69 patients (59%) suffered from unilateral one. DCS prevalence in this study was about 35%. Out of 41 patients with DCS, 25 patients (61%) had unilateral DCS with moderate severity (48.8%) and C7 radiculopathy (70.7%). Using binary logistic regression analysis (method=ENTER) showed that age and body mass index (BMI) were two variables affecting on the simultaneous development of CTS and cervical spines involvement (P<0.0001).

Conclusion: Since knowing simultaneous presence of CR and CTS in patients’ therapy is necessary, patients with CTS should be examined for DCS.