The Associated Risk Factors for Entrapment Neuropathy in the Upper Extremity: The Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcome in Aizu Cohort Study (LOHAS)

摘要

Purpose: Although carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) are the most common neuropathies in the upper extremities, there have been few studies describing the etiology and associated factors in the general population. The purpose of this study was to investigate and clarify the etiology and associated factors for CTS and CuTS in the Japanese general population. Methods: A total of 1875 participants, who participated in health checkups conducted in rural areas in Japan in 2010, were enrolled. The prevalence of CTS and CuTS was investigated. Logistic regression models were performed to examine the relationship between CTS and CuTS and correlated factors such as occupational status, smoking and alcohol preferences, and medical characteristics. Results: The overall prevalence of CTS and CuTS was 2.0% and 2.2%, respectively. With regards to CTS, female subjects showed 7.33-times higher risk of CTS compared with male subjects. In addition, hypertension was also at high risk of CTS (5.56-times higher in borderline and 4.55-times higher in definite hypertension compared with normal blood pressure). However, there were no significant associations between CuTS and age, gender, occupation, smoking and alcohol preferences, or metabolic factors. Conclusions: CTS was associated with female gender and hypertension, whereas there was no obvious risk factor contributing to the onset of CuTS.