Functional Outcomes Following Open Carpal Tunnel Release Surgery: A Comparative Study Between Patients with and Without Diabetes Using the QuickDASH Scores

Abstract

Abstract Purpose Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), a neuropathological disorder, is the most common upper limb manifestation; it affects 6.7% of the general population and leads to medical costs of approximately half a billion dollars per year in the United States. The clinical symptoms of CTS include pain, numbness, tingling, autonomic disturbances, and weakness. There is controversy regarding diabetes as a risk factor for worse clinical outcomes in patients with CTS. This study aimed to compare the functional outcomes following carpal tunnel release between patients with and without diabetes using the QuickDASH scores. Methods In this case-control retrospective study, we reviewed patients who underwent open carpal tunnel release surgery at our Department of Orthopaedic Surgery between March 2012 and September 2022. The patients were interviewed using a questionnaire to collect demographic data and medical and surgical history; the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire (Arabic version) was also administered. Results Overall, 85 patients were included, 43 patients (51.6%) without diabetes and 42 (49.4%) with diabetes. The most prevalent co-morbidity was Diabetes followed by Hypertension (51.6% and 42.4%, respectively). Overall, the mean QuickDASH score was 25.1 (standard deviation [SD], 20.7); it was 31.927 in patients with diabetes and 18.5 in those without diabetes (p = 0.002). Conclusion Patients with diabetes had worse functional outcomes than did those without diabetes. Understanding the intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors will aid in the better management of patients. Optimum management of these patients associated risk factors, will contribute to more desirable outcome.