Epidemiology, Treatment Patterns, and Comorbidities of Trigger Finger: A Contemporary Population-Based Analysis

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Epidemiology
• Hand Surgery

Background:

• Trigger finger (TF) is a common condition affecting the hand.
• Understanding its prevalence, demographics, and treatment patterns is crucial for clinical practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the current prevalence of trigger finger in the general and diabetic populations.
• To analyze demographic factors, comorbidities, and treatment trends for trigger finger.
• To investigate outcomes of initial treatments like steroid injections.

Main Methods:

• A large cohort of 465,763 patients diagnosed with trigger finger between 2015 and 2023 was analyzed using the TriNetX Research Network.
• Prevalence was assessed in the general population and specifically in patients with diabetes mellitus.
• Demographics, comorbidities (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and treatment pathways (injections, surgery) were recorded and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Trigger finger prevalence was 2.0% in the general population and 5.8% in the diabetic population.
• Patients with TF were older (mean age 60.6 years) and more frequently female (63.0%).
• The thumb, middle, and ring fingers were most affected. Surgical release rates were 16.6% within 3 years, and 20.1% of patients required surgery after an initial steroid injection.

Conclusions:

• Trigger finger is prevalent, particularly in diabetic individuals, older females, and affects specific digits.
• A significant proportion of patients require repeat treatments or surgery, highlighting the need for effective management strategies.
• The high comorbidity with carpal tunnel syndrome warrants further investigation and integrated care approaches.