Sensitivity and specificity of electrodiagnostic parameters in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome: a case-control study

Abstract

Aims: The sensitivity and specificity of electrodiagnostic parameters in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) have been reported differently, and this study aims to address this gap. Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 57 cases with CTS and 58 controls without complaints, such as pain or paresthesia on the median nerve. The main assessed electrodiagnostic parameters were terminal latency index (TLI), residual latency (RL), median ulnar F-wave latency difference (FdifMU), and median sensory latency-ulnar motor latency difference (MSUMLD). Results: The mean age in cases and controls were 50.7 years (SD 9.9) and 47.9 years (SD 12.1), respectively. The CTS severity was mild in 20 patients (34.4%), moderate in 19 patients (32.8%), and severe in 19 patients (32.8%). The sensitivity and specificity of the electrodiagnostic parameters in diagnosing CTS were as follows: TLI 75.4% and 87.8%; RL 85.9% and 82.5%; FdifMU 87.9% and 82.9%; and MSUMLD 94.8% and 60.0%, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that electrodiagnostic parameters are significantly associated with the clinical manifestation of CTS, and are associated with high diagnostic accuracy in CTS diagnosis. However, further studies are required to highlight the role of electrodiagnostic parameters and their combination in CTS detection. Cite this article: Bone Jt Open 2024;5(10):898–903.

Keywords

• carpal tunnel syndrome
• electromyography
• sensitivity
• specificity
• case-control study
• median nerve
• paresthesia
• clinical manifestation
• t-test
• nerves
• wrist
• tinel sign
• electromyography
• ulnar nerves