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Published on: January 11, 2019
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Association between smartphone use and carpal tunnel syndrome: A case-control study
Eman Salem Al Shahrani1, Norah Ali Al Shehri2
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, King Saud University Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
|October 18, 2021
Summary
Excessive smartphone use, particularly for 4 or more hours daily, is linked to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Holding phones with both hands increases CTS risk significantly.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent upper limb entrapment neuropathy.
- No prior Saudi Arabian studies have investigated the impact of smartphone usage on the median nerve.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between smartphone usage patterns and the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- Participants (18+ years) were diagnosed with CTS via clinical assessment and nerve conduction studies (NCS).
- Controls were verified as CTS-free using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire.
Main Results:
- The study included 95 cases and 190 controls, with 84.2% females.
- Daily smartphone use of 2+ hours correlated significantly with CTS.
- Using smartphones for 4+ hours/day was associated with CTS after adjusting for covariates.
- Holding smartphones with both hands elevated CTS odds by 7.8 times compared to one-handed use.
Conclusions:
- Increased daily smartphone usage is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome development.
- CTS negatively affects patients' daily activities and work productivity.
- Further longitudinal research is recommended to understand the long-term effects of smartphone use.
