Prevalence, course and determinants of carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms during pregnancy: a prospective study

Abstract

Objective To investigate the prevalence, severity and relation to fluid retention of self-reported pregnancy-related carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms in a large sample of pregnant women.Design A prospective longitudinal cohort study.Setting Dutch women who became pregnant between January 2013 and January 2014 in the southeast of The Netherlands.Population or sample A total of 639 Dutch pregnant women.Methods Baseline characteristics were assessed at 12 weeks' gestation. CTS symptoms were assessed using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) at 32 weeks and during the first postpartum week regarding the last weeks of pregnancy. Fluid retention, sleeping problems and depressive symptoms (using the Edinburgh Depression Scale) were assessed at several time points during pregnancy.Main outcome measures BCTQ scores, fluid retention and sleeping problems.Results Of the 639 women, 219 (34%) reported CTS symptoms during pregnancy. Total mean scores on the BCTQ were significantly higher after 32 weeks' than up to 32 weeks' gestation. Most women experienced mild to moderate symptoms. Pregnant women with CTS symptoms reported significantly higher levels of fluid retention during gestation compared with pregnant women without CTS symptoms [F = 60.6, df (1598), P < 0.001], adjusted for body mass index (BMI), age, parity, and depression scores. Higher scores on fluid retention throughout the pregnancy were significantly related to CTS (OR = 1.8, 95%CI 1.5, 2.1, P < 0.001). Finally, the occurrence of CTS was independently related to sleeping problems.Conclusions Although the severity of symptoms and functional impairment of CTS were relatively mild, health care professionals should be aware of the high prevalence. The occurrence of CTS symptoms is significantly higher in women who report fluid retention during gestation and it can contribute to sleeping problems.

Hand Function among Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

“…The reason for a higher mean values for symptom severity and functional severity in my study could be due to the post pregnant patients [17] and diabetic patients [18].…”

Are Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Migraine Related?

“…Also, studies restricted to female patients reported high rates of depression with significant association with pain intensity (Fernández-delas-Peñas et al and Fernández-Muñoz et al [33,34]. Even in pregnant women, higher depression scores were noted in women with CTS [35].…”

Complementary and Integrative Medicine for Neurologic Conditions

“…Four percent of the general population, 10% of the working population and over 30% of pregnant women have CTS. 28 Risk factors for CTS include repetitive hand use, obesity, pregnancy (progressively worse in later terms), diabetes, thyroid dysfunction and other medical conditions. 28 The debilitating symptoms can lead to significant disability at work and in daily activities.…”

“…28 Risk factors for CTS include repetitive hand use, obesity, pregnancy (progressively worse in later terms), diabetes, thyroid dysfunction and other medical conditions. 28 The debilitating symptoms can lead to significant disability at work and in daily activities. CTS is diagnosed by history, physical examination, electrodiagnostic studies including nerve conduction studies and electromyography, and neuromuscular ultrasound.…”