epidemiology

Last reviewed 01/2018

epidemiology

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy (around 90% of all entrapment neuropathies) (1).

The reported prevalence according to population studies is around 5% while in the in the UK it is 7-16% (2).

According to a UK General Practice Research Database study carried out in 2000

• the incidence in males to be 88 per 100 000 and in females to be 193 per 100 000
• new presentations being most frequent at ages 45-54 years in females and 75-84 years in males

CTS is more common in manual workers resulting in decrease productivity and time away from work (around 28 days - the second longest out of the major disabling diseases and illnesses in all private industries) (3).

Reference:

• (1) I Ibrahim et al. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Review of the Recent Literature. Open Orthop J. 2012; 6: 69-76
• (2) Middleton SD, Anakwe RE Carpal tunnel syndrome. BMJ. 2014;349:g6437
• (3) Shimpei Ono et al. Optimal management of carpal tunnel syndrome Int J Gen Med. 2010; 3: 255-261.