Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, including details on symptoms, causes, trauma, diagnosis, physiotherapy.

Patient satisfaction after open carpal tunnel release correlates with depression.

Lozano Calderón SA, Paiva A, Ring D

Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; and the Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA.

PURPOSE: To test the null hypothesis that depression does not correlate with patient satisfaction after open release of electrodiagnostically confirmed carpal tunnel syndrome when controlling for other demographic, disease-related, and psychosocial factors. METHODS: Eighty-two survey respondents who had recovered (minimum 2 years after surgery) from a limited incision open carpal tunnel release completed measures of satisfaction, perceived disability, depression, pain catastrophizing, and pain anxiety. Univariate and multivariate analyses sought predictors of satisfaction and perceived disability from among demographic, disease related, and psychological factors. RESULTS: The average satisfaction score was 8 points (range, 0-10) and the average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 13 points (range, 0-76). Predictors of greater dissatisfaction included greater depression and the categorical electrophysiologic test rating. Predictors of perceived disability included depression, pain catastrophizing, and static numbness. Depression was the dominant predictor of both satisfaction and perceived disability. CONCLUSIONS: Dissatisfaction and perceived disability after limited open carpal tunnel release for electrodiagnostically confirmed idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome is predicted primarily by depression and ineffective coping skills and to a lesser degree by clinical or electrophysiologic evidence of advanced nerve damage. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic II.

Published 17 March 2008 in J Hand Surg [Am], 33(3): 303-7.
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