Cristhiam Yang1, Hsin-Hung Chen1, Min-Chao Lee1, Huang-Kai Kao2, Yu-Te Lin2, Chien-Tzung Chen2, Chee-Jen Chang3, Chia-Hsuan Tsai1. 1. From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Keelung & Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 2. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou & Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 3. Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences and Research Services Center for Health Information, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), 1 of the most common peripheral neuropathies of the upper extremity, has been studied for decades regarding its epidemiology and associated medical conditions. We conducted a large-scale, age- and gender-matched study from an Asian population database to investigate the relationship between the incidence and the demographic characteristics. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using data of National Health Insurance Research Database was conducted. One million enrollees in Taiwan was used to identify 9442 patients with CTS and 37,768 randomly selected controls, in a control-case ratio of 4:1. Diagnoses of CTS were ascertained from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2012. Sociodemographic and medical characteristics were evaluated to assess the correlation with CTS. RESULTS: Annual incidence of CTS was approximately 0.4% during the 10-year-period in Taiwan, with higher incidence rate in female sex and middle age of group (50-59 years). Among the medical conditions, previous wrist injuries, obesity, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis were associated with CTS most significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Carpal tunnel syndrome has presented a relatively constant incidence in Taiwan. Female gender with middle age seemed to have the highest incident rate during a 10-year period from 2003 to 2012. Among the risk factors of CTS, previous wrist injuries, obesity, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis were demonstrated to be the most significantly correlated comorbidities.
BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), 1 of the most common peripheral neuropathies of the upper extremity, has been studied for decades regarding its epidemiology and associated medical conditions. We conducted a large-scale, age- and gender-matched study from an Asian population database to investigate the relationship between the incidence and the demographic characteristics. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study using data of National Health Insurance Research Database was conducted. One million enrollees in Taiwan was used to identify 9442 patients with CTS and 37,768 randomly selected controls, in a control-case ratio of 4:1. Diagnoses of CTS were ascertained from January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2012. Sociodemographic and medical characteristics were evaluated to assess the correlation with CTS. RESULTS: Annual incidence of CTS was approximately 0.4% during the 10-year-period in Taiwan, with higher incidence rate in female sex and middle age of group (50-59 years). Among the medical conditions, previous wrist injuries, obesity, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis were associated with CTS most significantly. CONCLUSIONS: Carpal tunnel syndrome has presented a relatively constant incidence in Taiwan. Female gender with middle age seemed to have the highest incident rate during a 10-year period from 2003 to 2012. Among the risk factors of CTS, previous wrist injuries, obesity, gout, and rheumatoid arthritis were demonstrated to be the most significantly correlated comorbidities.