Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Screening of Axonal Degeneration in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Ultrasonography and Nerve Conduction Studies
Published on: January 11, 2019
Association Between Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Pooled Occupational Cohorts
Kurt T Hegmann1, Matthew Steven Thiese, Jay Kapellusch
1Rocky Mountain Center for Occupational and Environmental Health (Dr Hegmann, Dr Wood, Dr Thiese), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Center for Ergonomics (Dr Kapellusch, Dr Foster, Dr Garg), University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Department of Mechanical Engineering (Dr Merryweather), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention (SHARP) Program (Dr Bao, Dr Silverstein), Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, Washington; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Dr Kendall), University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Dr Wertsch), Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Allina Health Clinics, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Objective:
The aim of the study was to ascertain if cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors are carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) risk factors.
Methods:
Analysis of pooled baseline data from two large prospective cohort studies (n = 1824) assessed the relationships between a modified Framingham Heart Study CVD risk score both CTS and abnormal nerve conduction study prevalence. Quantified job exposures, personal and psychosocial confounders were statistically controlled. Odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for individual risk scores.
Results:
There was a strong relationship between CVD risk score and both CTS and abnormal nerve conduction study after adjustment for confounders, with odds ratios as high as 4.16 and 7.35, respectively. Dose responses were also observed.
Conclusions:
In this workplace population, there is a strong association between CVD risk scores and both CTS and abnormal nerve conduction study that persisted after controlling for confounders. These data suggest a potentially modifiable disease mechanism.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Coronary Artery Disease I: Introduction
01:27Psychoneuroimmunology: Cardiovascular Disease
A key area of focus in PNI is the relationship between stress and coronary...
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...