Assessment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms and Functional Status among Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Survey in Lahore, Pakistan.

Abstract

Background: Medical students may be at a higher risk for developing CTS due to the repetitive nature of their work and prolonged use of computers. This survey investigated the severity of CTS symptoms and functional status among medical students. Methodology: Among medical students, a quantitative observational cross-sectional survey was carried out in Lahore, Pakistan. A total of 112 students of both gender, aged between 19 to 27 years, participated in this study. A demographic questionnaire and a Boston carpel tunnel syndrome questionnaire were used, and questions related to moderate and strenuous exercise were included in the survey. Results: The functional status of a medical student is categorized as 22.3% in the asymptomatic category, 40.2% in the mild category, 19.6% in the moderate category, and 17.9% fall in the severe category. An association was found between symptom severity and prolonged hand use & functional status. The study results provide insights into the risk factors and potential preventive measures for CTS in this population. Conclusion: The study has collected data on the prevalence of CTS among medical students, the severity of their symptoms, the impact of CTS on their academic performance, and the factors associated with the development and severity of CTS among medical students. Our survey results show that medical students of the study site have not been classified as high-risk.