Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURKIYE KLINIKLERI TIP BILIMLERI DERGISI, sa.4, ss.456-461, 2008 (SCI-Expanded)
Objective: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) negatively affects physical functions of the patients. The aim of the study was to compare hand functions and quality of life in mild, moderate and severe CTS patients who were divided into 3 groups according to the electrophysiological parameters. Material and Methods: Ninety-six (90.6%) women and 10 (9.4%) males adding to a total of 106 patients with a diagnosis of CTS were enrolled in the study. The patients were divided into 3 groups as mild, moderate and severe CTS, according to the electrophysiological parameters. Grip strength, lateral, tip and three-fingered pinch measurements of the patients were done to evaluate motor functions. Sense of touch was evaluated by 2-point discrimination (2-PD) and Semmes Weinstein Monofilament Test (SWMT). Nine Hole Peg Test (NHPT) was used to determine hand dexterity. Patients completed the Boston Questionnaire (BQ) that is specific to CTS patients, including the Symptom Severity Scale (SSS) and the Functional Status Scale (FSS). Short-Form 36 (SF-36) was used to evaluate the quality of life and the mental and the physical scores were calculated. Results: The mean age of the patients was 47.14 +/- 10.90 years and 96 (90.6%) the patients had bilateral CTS. According to the electrophysiological parameters of the dominant extremity, 29 (27.4%) patients had mild, 47 (44.3%) had moderate and 30 (28.3%) had severe CTS. There was statistically significant difference in 2-PD, SWMT and three fingered pinch measurements between the groups. SF-36 physical scores were significantly low in patients with severe CTS compared to patients with mild CTS (p = 0.012). Conclusion: As a result, three-fingered pinch strength decreases and the sense of touch diminishes parallel to disease severity in patients with CTS. In addition, severe CTS has a negative effect on physical functions of the patients.