The impact of disease severity in carpal tunnel syndrome on grip strength, pinch strength, fine motor skill and depression

Abstract

[Purpose] We evaluated the impact of disease severity on symptoms, functional status of hand and depression of patients diagnosed as having carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). [Subjects and Methods] Ninety-nine patients with diagnosis of unilateral CTS in the dominant extremity were enrolled in the study. Patients' clinical parameters, grip strength, lateral, tip and tripod pinch strengths, two-point discrimination (2-PD), Semmes Weinstein Monofilament test and Purdue Pegboard test (PPT) were evaluated. The Beck Depression Scale (BDS) was used to evaluate patients. The patients were divided into 3 groups, mild, moderate and advanced CTS, according to electrophysiological parameters. [Results] Thirty-three patients had mild, 34 patients had moderate and 32 patients had advanced CTS. There were statistically significant decreases in tripod and tip pinch strength and a statistically significant increase in the score of the 2-PD test in the advanced CTS group compared to the mild and moderate CTS groups. While there was a significant decrease in the dominant hand subtest of PPT in the advanced CTS group compared to the mild CTS group, no differences in the other subtests of PPT were found. The BDS scores of patients with advanced CTS were significantly higher than those of patients with mild CTS. [Conclusion] Tip and tripod pinch strength decreased, sense of touch and fine motor skill deteriorated and depression status increased with disease severity.