Síndrome do túnel do carpo: aspectos clínicos-epidemiológicos de pacientes atendidos em ambulatório de membro superior no norte do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is characterized as a compressive neuropathy of the median nerve. It affects about 5% of the population, especially individuals between 40 and 60 years old, becoming a disabling factor for working-age adults. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the epidemiological and clinical profile of patients with CTS attended in a upper limb ambulatory in Passo Fundo, RS. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study, based on a secondary data analysis carried out in August and September 2019. The population was composed of all patients who were treated at the Upper Limb Ambulatory of Hospital São Vicente de Paulo from January 1 to December 31, 2018. The clinical variables analyzed were: affected limbs with CTS, symptoms, physical tests, electroneuromyography results, type of treatment and patient follow-up, while the epidemiological variables were gender, age, ethnicity, occupation and activity of the patients. For data analysis we used descriptive statistics with the distribution of absolute (n) and relative (%) frequencies. RESULTS: 1874 medical records were reviewed, and the CTS prevalence was 3% of outpatients. Women (84%), a mean age of 53 ±10years old, white ethnicity (82,2%), with bilateral involvement (74%) were those with the highest frequency of CTS. Surgical treatment was the most indicated(72,5%). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence found reiterates the importance of regionalized studies for a better definition of the population with CTS, an early detection of signs and symptoms for the best management, aiming at reducing the morbidity of these patients and the evaluation of occupations more susceptible to this condition.