Electrophysiologic Evidence of Concomitant Focal Nerve Entrapments in Persons With Rheumatoid Arthritis: A...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Rheumatology
• Orthopedics

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with peripheral nerve entrapment, but studies often examine upper or lower extremities separately.
• Previous research on RA-related nerve entrapment has typically involved small sample sizes.
• Simultaneous assessment of upper and lower extremity nerve entrapment in RA patients is under-researched.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) concurrently in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
• To investigate the prevalence of simultaneous CTS and TTS in a large cohort of RA patients.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 338 rheumatoid arthritis patients with clinical signs of nerve entrapment.
• Retrospective survey utilizing electrodiagnostic testing to confirm carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS).
• Analysis of a sample comprising 269 women and 69 men.

Main Results:

• Electrodiagnostic testing revealed carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in 75.7% of patients and tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) in 24.3%.
• Concurrent CTS and TTS were diagnosed in 14.8% of the study participants (50 patients).
• Higher incidence of both CTS and TTS was observed in women compared to men.

Conclusions:

• Peripheral nerve entrapment, including CTS and TTS, is highly prevalent in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
• The occurrence of simultaneous carpal tunnel syndrome and tarsal tunnel syndrome in RA patients is significant.
• Findings highlight the importance of evaluating both upper and lower extremity nerve entrapment in RA management.