Dolor y catastrofismo en el síndrome del túnel del carpo

Objectives

To determine which variable influences pain in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), specifically whether it is the severity of nerve injury or pain-associated catastrophization (PC). Additionally, to assess the relationship between electromyography (EMG) results and perceived pain in both hands.

Method

A prospective observational study of CTS patients with EMG results, who completed two questionnaires: the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) to quantify PC, and the McGill Pain Questionnaire to assess pain. For the latter, only the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was used due to the difficulty patients faced in selecting the most appropriate term.

Results

A total of 74 subjects with CTS were studied. The intensity of pain and the severity of median nerve injury were not statistically significant in the right hand (p = 0.925) or the left hand (p = 0.270). A positive association was found between the PCS and pain in the right hand (p = 0.011) and in the left hand (p = 0.050). The relationship of the results between both hands was statistically significant for both EMG (p = 0.001) and pain (p = 0.000).

Conclusions

Pain in CTS is determined by PC rather than the severity of nerve injury. There is similarity in pain perception and the degree of median nerve injury between both hands.