[Carpal tunnel syndrome I. Clinico-epidemiologic study]

As part of a greater study, we conducted this work in which we evaluated the epidemiologic, etiopathogenic and clinical aspects of a series of 190 patients (288 pathological hands) diagnosed of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with electroneurological procedures (ENG). Sixty-six point eighth per cent were women and 33.1% men, with an initial average age of 44.8 years for men and 43 years for women (NS difference). The average time of evolution of symptoms was 1.38 years for men and 2.4 for women (p < 0.01). Etiological or predisposing factors were observed in 17.3% of patients and systemic factors in 44.6%. Fifty-eight per cent of men performed hard manual activities, whereas 75.4% of women performed non-professional domestic tasks. The symptomatology was non-specific in 15.6% of the patients, whereas 18% of the patients were asymptomatic, although their ENG was compatible with CTS. Among the major clinical manifestations were pain (50.8%) ad parenthesias (49.4%), with less frequent observation of strength loss (17%), hyposthesia (15%) and thenar atrophy (7.6%). We support most of the data brought forward by previous literature, female predominance and maximum incidence in middle ages. We observed as the most frequent cause work activities entailing reiterative and sustained movements of the wrist and we did not find any other sign or symptom totally reliable for the diagnosis of CTS, being the bioelectrical tests the ones with less errors.