Diabetic polyneuropathy and the risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome: A nationwide, population-based study

Abstract

Background: We investigated the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN).

Methods: This study was conducted using records from the National Health Insurance System (NHIS). We divided patients diagnosed with diabetes mellitus (DM) into those with and without DPN. We assessed the effect of DPN on the risk of CTS using Cox proportional hazards regression analyses.

Results: DPN was associated with an increased risk of CTS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.33; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12-1.58). In sub-analyses, female gender (HR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.20-1.76), presence of type 2 DM (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.11-1.64), and age 35 to 64 years (HR 1.35; 95% CI, 1.11-1.64) were significantly associated with an increased risk of CTS.

Conclusions: Patients with DPN had an increased risk of CTS compared with the non-DPN group, particularly females, those with type 2 DM, and those aged 35 to 64 years.