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).

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