The relationship between electrodiagnostic severity and Washington Neuropathic Pain Scale in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

Objectives: We undertook this study to examine the relationships between clinical symptoms as evaluated by Washington Neuropathic Pain Scale (NPS) and electrodiagnostic classification in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Eighty patients with unilateral CTS were included in this study. After diagnosis of CTS by electromyography, all patients completed a 10-item questionnaire (NPS). Results: A statistically significant correlation between total NPS score and severity of CTS was found (p=0.013, r=0.276). Conclusion: The present study indicates that using NPS might be useful in evaluating the clinical outcome of patients with CTS.