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Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume)
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Articles

A Clinical Questionnaire for the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

V. KAMATH
J. STOTHARD

From the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Middlesbrough General Hospital, Ayresome Green Lane Middlesbrough, UK

Correspondence: Prof. John Stothard, MD, FRCS, Consultant Hand Surgeon, Middlesbrough General Hospital, Ayresome Green Lane, Middlesbrough, TS5 5AZ, UK. Tel: +44-1642-854120; fax: +44-1642-854375; E-mail: lorrainesidgwick{at}hotmail.com

This prospective study compared the sensitivities of a scored questionnaire and electrophysiological examination in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients were assessed by a hand surgeon using a scored questionnaire, and then underwent an electrophysiological assessment by an experienced neurophysiologist (blinded to the questionnaire results). Patients diagnosed as having carpal tunnel syndrome by either the questionnaire, the electrophysiological examination or both underwent decompression. Symptom relief was taken as the "gold standard" for true carpal tunnel syndrome.

The results showed a sensitivity of 85% for the scored questionnaire and 92% for nerve conduction studies with a positive predictive value of 90% for the scored questionnaire and 92% for nerve conduction studies.

The authors recommend that a scored questionnaire can replace nerve conduction studies in the initial assessment of whether patients presenting with dysaesthesiae in the fingers should undergo surgery. This will give major time, personnel and cost benefits.

Key Words: carpal tunnel syndrome • diagnostic tests

Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume), Vol. 28, No. 5, 455-459 (2003)
DOI: 10.1016/S0266-7681(03)00151-7
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Home page
 J Hand Surg Eur VolHome page
T. E. J. HEMS, R. MILLER, A. MASSRAF, and J. GREEN
Assessment of a diagnostic questionnaire and protocol for management of carpal tunnel syndrome
J Hand Surg Eur Vol., October 1, 2009; 34(5): 665 - 670.
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