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J Hand Microsurg 2022; 14(01): 39-46
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1710412
Original Article

Can the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire Be Used as a Screening Tool Among a Potentially High-Risk Population in Singapore?

Dinesh Sirisena
1   Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
,
Ivan Lim
2   Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
,
Shauna Sim
1   Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
,
Pei-Yein Tong
1   Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
,
Vaikunthan Rajaratnam
1   Department of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Introduction Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) causes significant morbidity with delayed diagnosis or management. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) is validated for monitoring CTS following diagnosis; however, it has not been trialed in a screening capacity. The study aimed to determine whether it can be utilized when screening a focused population in Singapore.

Materials and Methods A single-center survey-based study was undertaken prospectively to identify whether positive symptoms could be identified among nursing and administrative staff.

Results A total of 605 staff responded. Positive symptoms were identified in 317 (52.4%) of participants and 23 (3.8%) reported them to be severe. Functional limitations were detected in 157 (26.0%) of participants with 5 (0.8%) reporting these as severe. Positive symptoms (84.9%) and functional limitations (81.5%) were more prevalent among nursing staff. Cronbach’s α scores (0.896 for symptoms and 0.84 for functional limitations) suggested good reliability in matching symptoms and functional limitations.

Conclusion The BCTQ can potentially be implemented as a screening tool for CTS among those without a prior diagnosis. It has a greater depth of questioning with symptomatic and functional limitations considered, and in situations where a formal diagnosis is subsequently made, the same tool can be subsequently used for progression tracking pre- and post-treatment.

Level of Evidence  This is a Level II study.

Keywords

carpal tunnel syndrome - Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire - median nerve - peripheral nervous system disorders - mass screening


Publication History

Article published online:
02 May 2020

© 2020. Society of Indian Hand & Microsurgeons. This article is published by Thieme.

Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Private Ltd.
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