PREVALENCE AND IMPACT OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME ON MULTIGRAVIDA PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, clinical symptoms, and functional impact of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in multigravida pregnant women in Peshawar. A total of 100 participants were included, with 50 women diagnosed with CTS (Group A) and 50 healthy controls (Group B). The results showed that the CTS group had a significantly higher BMI compared to the control group (p-value = 0.05). While there were no significant differences in age, gestational age, or trimester distribution, the CTS group exhibited markedly higher clinical symptoms, including numbness (90%), tingling (84%), pain (80%), nighttime symptoms (76%), and bilateral involvement (70%) compared to the control group (p-value < 0.001). Diagnostic tests, such as Phalen’s test and Tinel’s sign, showed high positive rates in the CTS group (96% and 92%, respectively, p-value < 0.001). Severity of CTS varied, with 40% of participants reporting mild symptoms, 30% moderate, and 30% severe. Functional limitations were significant, with 80% of women in the CTS group reporting difficulties in daily activities, in contrast to only 20% in the control group (p-value < 0.001). These findings underscore the high prevalence, clinical severity, and functional impact of CTS in pregnant women, highlighting the need for early diagnosis and intervention to mitigate symptoms and improve quality of life.

Keywords: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Prevalence, Pregnancy, Multigravida, Activities of Daily Living, Age Group, Neuropathy.