Abstract

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common form of localized peripheral neuropathy. CTS and cervical radiculopathy (CR) often co-occur and is known as double crush syndrome (DCS). Aim: This study aimed at determining frequency of CR in patients with CTS referred to electrodiagnosis department of Rasht Imam Reza clinic. Materials and Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study on 117 patients with CTS referred to Imam Reza clinic. The patients’ data were recorded through a questionnaire including electrodiagnosis test results, patients’ demographic data, medical history, primary diagnosis and related results and electromyogram (EMG)/nerve conduction velocity (NCV) tests results. NCV test shows CTS type (unilateral and bilateral) as well as its severity, while EMG test determines co-occurrence of CR and CTS, type and severity of DCS. Finally, the data were entered into SPSS 19, and analyzed using statistical tests. Results: Out of 117 patients with primary diagnosis of CTS, 21 (17.9%) were male and 96 (82.1%) female, with a mean age of 46.5 years. The highest frequency (41.5%) in patients with CTS belonged to housewives. 48 patients (41%) had bilateral CTS and 69 patients (59%) suffered from unilateral one. 41 patients had DCS (35%): 25 patients (61%) unilateral DCS with moderate severity and mostly C7 radiculopathy (70.7%). Using binary logistic regression analysis (method=ENTER), age and body mass index (BMI) were the two effective variables on development of simultaneous CTS and cervical spines involvement (P<0.0001). Conclusion: Knowing the presence of simultaneous CR and CTS is important in treatment and surgical outcore the patients with CTS should be always examined for DCS.

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