The effect of metabolic syndrome on recurrence in patients who had undergone surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate whether or not metabolic syndrome (MS) affects recurrence in patients who had undergone surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

Patients and methods: The study included 86 hands of 78 patients (19 males, 59 females; mean age 52.0±8.2 years; range 36 to 78 years) who underwent CTS surgery. Patients were examined clinically and demographically for the presence of MS. Patients were also evaluated using a visual analog scale and the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire. Diagnoses of recurrence were established using electromyography in patients with clinical CTS and Tinel and/or Phalen test positivity. The effect of MS on recurrent CTS was examined statistically by independent t-test.

Results: At the end of a mean follow-up period of 36.2±19.2 months (range 12 to 60 months), recurrence was identified in 31 (36%) of the 86 hands. Of these 31 hands, MS was present in 23 (74.2%). In the 55 hands (64%) without recurrence, MS was present in 10 (18.2%). According to these differences, the effect of MS on recurrent CTS was statistically significant (p<0.001).

Conclusion: Our study indicated that MS affected recurrence in patients who had undergone CTS surgery.