Carpal tunnel release: Lifetime prevalence, annual incidence and risk factors.

INTRODUCTION:
We estimated the lifetime prevalence and incidence of carpal tunnel release (CTR), and identified risk factors for CTR.
METHODS:
Study population consisted of individuals aged >30 years living in Finland during 2000-2001 (N=6256), and was linked to the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register from 2000 to 2011.
RESULTS:
Lifetime prevalence of CTR was 3.1% and incidence rate was 1.73 per 1000 person-years. Female sex (adjusted hazard ratio (HR)=1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.8), age of 40-49 years (HR=2.5, CI 1.7-3.8 compared with other age groups), education (HR=0.6, CI 0.4-0.9 for high vs. low/medium), obesity (HR=1.7, CI 1.2-2.5 for body mass index ≥30 vs <30 kg/m2 ) and hand osteoarthritis (HR=2.4, CI 1.4-3.9) were associated with the incidence of CTR.
DISCUSSION:
CTR is a common surgical procedure, performed on 1.9% of men and 4.1% of women during their lifetimes. Obesity and hand osteoarthritis are associated with an increased risk of CTR. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.