Carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes and pyridoxal

Serum pyridoxal concentrations were estimated in 13 patients who had both diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome. The clinical features and response to treatment in these patients did not differ from that seen in non-diabetic patients with this syndrome. No significant difference in mean serum pyridoxal concentrations was noted between diabetics with carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetics without neuropathy, and normal subjects. These results indicate that carpal tunnel syndrome in diabetics is distinct from polyneuropathy in that it is not associated with a reduction in serum pyridoxal levels which is a feature of diabetic polyneuropathy.