Global digital epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome: 15-year trends and predictive insights
Abstract
Aims: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a leading cause of neuropathic pain and disability worldwide. In the digital era, online search behavior offers a unique lens to gauge public health awareness. This study investigates global trends in CTS-related search interest over 15 years (2010-2025) and explores its association with demographic and economic indicators.
Methods: Using Google Trends data combined with United Nations and World Bank statistics; we analyzed temporal patterns and cross-national correlations. Time-series modeling was performed with ARIMA to forecast future trends.
Results: Global CTS search interest remained stable despite population growth, showing negligible correlations with GDP per capita (r=+0.02), population size (r=-0.09), and median age (r=-0.27). ARIMA forecasting for 2024-2028 suggested a gradual decline in search interest, with widening prediction intervals over time.
Conclusion: Public interest in CTS does not align strongly with demographic or economic factors, suggesting that awareness is shaped by other determinants such as occupational risk and healthcare accessibility. Digital epidemiology provides valuable insights for public health planning, highlighting the need for targeted awareness strategies rather than reliance on macro-level indicators.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Orthopaedics, Epidemiological Methods, Social Epidemiology
Journal Section
Research Article
Publication Date
May 19, 2026
Submission Date
February 11, 2026
Acceptance Date
March 24, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 9 Number: 3
APA
Muratoğlu, O. G., Yeğin, E. E., & Yeğin, M. E. (2026). Global digital epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome: 15-year trends and predictive insights. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, 9(3), 686-690. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1885942
AMA
1.Muratoğlu OG, Yeğin EE, Yeğin ME. Global digital epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome: 15-year trends and predictive insights. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9(3):686-690. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1885942
Chicago
Muratoğlu, Osman Görkem, Ecem Esma Yeğin, and Mehmet Emre Yeğin. 2026. “Global Digital Epidemiology of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: 15-Year Trends and Predictive Insights”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 (3): 686-90. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1885942.
EndNote
Muratoğlu OG, Yeğin EE, Yeğin ME (May 1, 2026) Global digital epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome: 15-year trends and predictive insights. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9 3 686–690.
IEEE
[1]O. G. Muratoğlu, E. E. Yeğin, and M. E. Yeğin, “Global digital epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome: 15-year trends and predictive insights”, J Health Sci Med / JHSM, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 686–690, May 2026, doi: 10.32322/jhsm.1885942.
ISNAD
Muratoğlu, Osman Görkem - Yeğin, Ecem Esma - Yeğin, Mehmet Emre. “Global Digital Epidemiology of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: 15-Year Trends and Predictive Insights”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine 9/3 (May 1, 2026): 686-690. https://doi.org/10.32322/jhsm.1885942.
JAMA
1.Muratoğlu OG, Yeğin EE, Yeğin ME. Global digital epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome: 15-year trends and predictive insights. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026;9:686–690.
MLA
Muratoğlu, Osman Görkem, et al. “Global Digital Epidemiology of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: 15-Year Trends and Predictive Insights”. Journal of Health Sciences and Medicine, vol. 9, no. 3, May 2026, pp. 686-90, doi:10.32322/jhsm.1885942.
Vancouver
1.Osman Görkem Muratoğlu, Ecem Esma Yeğin, Mehmet Emre Yeğin. Global digital epidemiology of carpal tunnel syndrome: 15-year trends and predictive insights. J Health Sci Med / JHSM. 2026 May 1;9(3):686-90. doi:10.32322/jhsm.1885942
