Risk factors associated with the reported scores on the symptoms severity and functional limitations scales of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire: a cross-sectional study

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy. It presents with numbness, paresthesias, and pain. Multiple risk factors are associated with CTS, such as pregnancy, oral contraceptive use, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and diabetes mellitus (DM). The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) is a self-administered questionnaire for assessing the severity of symptoms and functional status of those previously diagnosed with CTS. We aim to identify risk factors associated with higher scores of CTS symptoms severity and functional limitations scales on the BCTQ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 366 female participants. The data was mainly collected using the BCTQ. Demographics and risk factors of CTS were added to the study’s complete questionnaire; risk factors included RA, DM, hypothyroidism, number of pregnancies, usage of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), use of smartphones and keyboards. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Most participants were in their 30s (44%) and housewives. RA, DM, hypothyroidism, and pregnancy were associated with reporting symptoms and functional limitations on BCTQ. OCPs and smartphone use were associated with functional limitations only. CONCLUSION: Different risk factors are associated with reporting symptoms and functional limitations of CTS on the BCTQ. For example, RA, DM, hypothyroidism, pregnancy, OCPs, and smartphone use have all been found to statistically affect the outcome of the BCTQ in this study. Therefore, clinical confirmation of the CTS diagnosis is required in future studies to ensure that these symptoms and functional limitations are associated with the CTS pathology rather than other risk factors and pathologies for proper targeted treatment plans and outcomes.