@article{article_1660085, title={EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISK FACTORS AND CLINICAL AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH A PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME}, journal={The Journal of Kırıkkale University Faculty of Medicine}, volume={27}, pages={156–162}, year={2025}, DOI={10.24938/kutfd.1660085}, author={Ceyhan, Zafer}, keywords={Karpal tünel sendromu, elektromiyografi, tuzak nöropati, Boston Karpal Tünel Ölçeği, risk faktörleri}, abstract={Objective: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between risk factors and the severity of symptoms, functional status, and electromyography (EMG) results in patients with a preliminary diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2025 and March 2025. The study population consisted of patients treated at Samsun Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Diseases Hospital who were referred to the EMG unit with a preliminary diagnosis of CTS. The sample size was calculated using the Minitab-16 program, and a total of 261 patients were included. Participant data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire administered by an experienced EMG nurse. Electromyography (EMG) assessments were performed and reported by a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist who was blinded to the questionnaire results. The questionnaire included 14 initial questions regarding the patients’ age, gender, specific characteristics, risk factors related to CTS, and their Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Subsequently, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) was administered. A significance level of p <0.05 was considered statistically significant for comparisons. Results: Among the patients included in the study, 216 (82.8%) were female, and 45 (17.2%) were male. The median age was 49 (range: 20–94) years. The mean total score of the BCTQ was 5.4±1.5. Of the patients referred to the electrophysiology laboratory with a preliminary diagnosis of CTS, 53.3% were diagnosed with CTS. When comparing patients with and without electrophysiologically confirmed CTS, the condition was found to be more common in females, individuals with a smoking history of more than 21 years, and patients with diabetes mellitus (DM). Compared to individuals without CTS, those diagnosed with CTS had higher age, longer duration of wrist pain, higher total BCTQ scores, VAS scores, and Body Mass Index (BMI) values. Conclusion: The risk factors, BCTQ scores, and EMG findings of patients referred to the EMG laboratory with a preliminary diagnosis of CTS appear to be complementary. Female gender, long-term smoking (≥21 years), and the presence of diabetes were significantly associated with CTS. Considering these risk factors in clinical evaluations may contribute to the development of effective strategies for the early diagnosis and management of CTS.}, number={2}, publisher={Kırıkkale Üniversitesi}