Computer use and carpal tunnel syndrome: A meta-analysis

Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common cause of pain, numbness and tingling in the wrist and hand region and is associated with repetitive wrist and hand use in office workers. However, scarce knowledge exists about the epidemiology of clinically confirmed CTS among Chinese office workers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of wrist/hand symptoms and CTS in office workers in China and to identify associated risk factors. Methods A cross-sectional survey was carried out in a metropolitan city in China involving 969 respondents (aged 17–49 years) from 30 workplaces. A questionnaire was distributed to each participant to collect their demographic, work-related physical and psychosocial factors, and wrist and hand symptoms. The wrist and hand pain/numbness symptoms were marked on a body chart and the nature and intensity of symptoms, nocturnal symptoms, as well as aggravating activities were also recorded. Clinically confirmed CTS cases were screened based on the history, Phalen’s test, Tinel Sign and skin sensation testing among symptomatic respondents. Logistic regression was employed to estimate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for the occurrence of self-reported wrist and hand symptoms and clinically confirmed CTS. Results The clinically confirmed CTS prevalence was 9.6%. The prevalence of wrist and hand symptoms were 22 and 15%, respectively. Frequently working in pain was associated with higher odds of CTS. Multivariate modelling adjusted for age and gender showed that prolonged computer use time and working without breaks were associated with presence of wrist/hand symptoms (adjusted ORs: 1.11 (95% CI 1.02–1.22) and 1.88 (95% CI 1.12–3.14)). Educational level was inversely associated with CTS and smoking was associated with wrist/hand complaints (adjusted OR: 2.20 (95% CI 1.19–4.07)). Conclusions The prevalence of work-related clinically confirmed CTS symptoms among young office workers in China is high. Frequently working in pain is closely associated with clinically confirmed CTS. Intense computer use and no breaks at work are associated with wrist and hand symptoms.

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Systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical options for recurrent or persistent carpal tunnel syndrome: simple decompression versus coverage of the median nerve

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) ◽

10.1177/17531934211001715 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 175319342110017

Author(s):

Saskia F. de Roo ◽

Philippe N. Sprangers ◽

Erik T. Walbeehm ◽

Brigitte van der Heijden

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Median Nerve ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Carpal Tunnel Release ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Surgical Techniques ◽

Open Release ◽

Flap Coverage ◽

Tunnel Syndrome

We performed a systematic review on the success of different surgical techniques for the management of recurrent and persistent carpal tunnel syndrome. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria and were grouped by the type of revision carpal tunnel release, which were simple open release, open release with flap coverage or open release with implant coverage. Meta-analysis showed no difference, and pooled success proportions were 0.89, 0.89 and 0.85 for simple open carpal tunnel release, additional flap coverage and implant groups, respectively. No added value for coverage of the nerve was seen. Our review indicates that simple carpal tunnel release without additional coverage of the median nerve seems preferable as it is less invasive and without additional donor site morbidity. We found that the included studies were of low quality with moderate risk of bias and did not differentiate between persistent and recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome.

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Smoking and carpal tunnel syndrome: A meta-analysis

Muscle & Nerve ◽

10.1002/mus.23922 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 49 (3) ◽

pp. 345-350 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Mohammad-Hossein Pourmemari ◽

Eira Viikari-Juntura ◽

Rahman Shiri

Keyword(s):

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Tunnel Syndrome

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Gabapentin as an adjuvant therapy to splinting in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS): a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

The Egyptian Journal of Neurology Psychiatry and Neurosurgery ◽

10.1186/s41983-020-00237-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ahmed M. Ahmed ◽

Osama G. Hassan ◽

Ahmed A. Khalifa

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Randomized Clinical Trials ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Pinch Strength ◽

Symptom Severity Scale ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common upper limb entrapment neuropathy; severe cases are treated surgically and mild to moderate can be managed conservatively. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to define the efficacy of gabapentin as an adjuvant to splinting in the treatment of mild to moderate CTS. Methods A systematic search through 13 databases, randomized clinical trials (RCTs) reporting the use of gabapentin with splinting in CTS were included and analyzed. Results Three RCTs including 170 patients were eligible. There was no significant difference between gabapentin plus splinting and splinting alone in 5 measured parameters: (1) Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) [MD (95% CI) = − 0.76 (− 2.46–0.93), p = 0.378], (2) Functional Status Scale (FSS) [MD (95% CI) = − 0.23 (− 1.40–0.94), p = 0.701], (3) visual analogue scale (VAS) to assess pain [MD (95% CI) = − 0.6 (− 1.47–0.27), p = 0.174], (4) Grip strength [MD (95% CI) = − 0.11 (− 0.70–0.48), p = 0.718], and (5) pinch strength [MD (95% CI) = 0.72 (− 0.10–1.54), p = 0.083]. Conclusion This review provides low-quality evidence that gabapentin plus nocturnal splinting is not superior to splinting alone. More high-quality trials are needed to determine the role of this drug as an adjuvant in the management of CTS.

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1287 A Comparison of Surgical Decompression and Steroid Injections to Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Meta-Analysis

British Journal of Surgery ◽

10.1093/bjs/znab259.831 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽

Author(s):

F La Costa

Keyword(s):

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Steroid Injection ◽

Muscular Atrophy ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Surgical Decompression ◽

Optimal Treatment ◽

Post Treatment ◽

Entrapment Neuropathies ◽

Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract Introduction Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist. It accounts for 90% of all entrapment neuropathies, with a 7-16% in the UK. It has a significant impact on patients’ daily lives. Clinically, CTS results in paraesthesia, while extreme cases may involve muscular atrophy and weakness. There is currently a disparity between optimal treatments for CTS. Therefore, this paper aims to identify the optimal treatment for CTS with post-treatment BCTQ (Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire) scores (including both functional and symptomatic severity) at 1, 3 and 6 months. Method The BCTQ scores for were sited from PubMed, Google Scholar and the University of Dundee Library search engine by entering key words such as “carpal tunnel syndrome”, “surgical decompression”, “surgical release” and “steroid injection”. Means and standard deviations for pre- and post-treatment after 1, 3 and 6 months were obtained. From this, forest plots were constructed using a software where steroid injection and surgical decompression were inputted separately, and effect sizes were then compared for 1, 3 and 6 months. Results The meta-analysis included reviewing 133 articles. The effect size was determined using the random effects model. Steroid injection was more effective than surgical decompression after 1 and 3 months. However, after 6 months, surgical decompression was more effective. Conclusions Identification of long-term relief of CTS through surgical decompression allows the reduction of symptom recurrence and thus costly follow-up appointments. This study provides robust clinical findings for the optimal treatment of CTS.

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A genome-wide meta-analysis identifies 53 sequence variants associating with carpal tunnel syndrome

10.21203/rs.3.rs-1189337/v1 ◽

2022 ◽

Author(s):

Astros Skuladottir ◽

Gyda Bjornsdottir ◽

Egil Ferkingstad ◽

Gudmundur Einarsson ◽

Lilja Stefansdottir ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Extracellular Matrix ◽

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽

Carpal Tunnel ◽

Genome Wide Association Study ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Missense Variant ◽

Sequence Variants ◽

Genome Wide ◽

A Genome ◽

Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy and has a largely unknown underlying biology. In a genome-wide association study of CTS (Ncases = 48,843, Ncontrols = 1,190,837), we found 53 sequence variants at 50 loci that associate with the syndrome. The most significant association is with a missense variant (p.Glu366Lys) in SERPINA1 that protects against CTS (P = 2.9 × 10−24, OR = 0.76). Through various functional analyses, we conclude that at least 22 genes mediate CTS risk and highlight the role of 19 CTS variants in the biology of the extracellular matrix. We show that the genetic component to the risk is higher in recurrent/persistent cases than nonrecurrent/nonresistant cases. Anthropometric traits including height and BMI are genetically correlated with CTS, in addition to early hormonal-replacement therapy, osteoarthritis, and restlessness. Our findings suggest that the components of the extracellular matrix play a key role in the pathogenesis of CTS.

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