A revised electrodiagnosis-based severity classification for carpal tunnel syndrome.

BACKGROUND

An electrodiagnostic evaluation is conducted to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and evaluate its severity.

OBJECTIVE

This study proposes a revised approach for classifying the severity of electrophysiological findings for patients with CTS.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study included patients with CTS confirmed through electrodiagnostic evaluations. Based on the Stevens' classification, the patients were divided into three groups (mild/moderate/severe). A new intermediate group was defined to identify patients with normal motor nerve conduction studies and abnormal electromyographic results. CTS pain was evaluated using a numeric rate scale. Physical examinations and sonographic evaluation were performed to detect anatomical abnormalities.

RESULTS

Overall, 1,069 CTS hands of 850 CTS patients were included. The mean age was 57.9 ± 10.8 years, and 336 (39.5%) were men. There were 522 (48.8%) mild cases; 281 (26.3%) moderate cases; and 266 (24.9%) severe cases. In the severe group, 49 cases were reclassified into the intermediate group. The median cross-sectional area in the intermediate group significantly differed from that in the severe group. However, the pain score significantly differed from that of the moderate group.

CONCLUSION

The intermediate CTS group showed clinical features that were intermediate to those of the moderate and severe CTS groups.