Evidence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among Obese Patients

Abstract

Objective: To determine the evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome among obese patients at tertiary care hospital, Karachi.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study

Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at the Department of Neurology Outpatient Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital and Al Tibri Medical College and Hospital in Karachi from October, 2022, to March, 2023.

Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study done at the neurology department of Dr. Ruth K.M Pfau Civil Hospital and Al Tibri Medical College and Hospital Karachi within the duration of six months. The calculated sample size was 107 and non-probability, consecutive sampling was done. Data was analyzed on SPSS
Version 23.0.

Results: In our study 107 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were included.  The mean age was 49.75 years. Mean body mass index was 27.5 kg/m². Majority, 68 (63.6%) were females. Out of 107 patients, 73 (68.2%) were residents of urban areas. Diabetes mellitus was documented in 41 (38.3%) patients. Hypertension was noted in 61 (57.0%) patients. Dyslipidemia was present in 33 (30.8%) patients. Most of the patients, 65 (60.7%) had right sided carpel tunnel syndrome. In this study 35 (32.7%) were obese while 72 (67.3%) were non-obese.

Conclusion: It is concluded that a significant proportion of obesity was present in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. However other factors like diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia and hypertension were also noted significantly with carpal tunnel syndrome. Since this was a small size study, results may not reflect the most population, and needs more studies with larger group of patients at multiple hospitals of the country in this regard to validate the current findings.

Key Words: Carpal tunnel syndrome, obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus.