Obesity doubles the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome

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Tuesday, July 06, 2004 8:52 am Email this article
Obesity doubles the risk of carpal tunnel syndrome according to a new study from the United Kingdom.

Other risk factors included

• previous wrist fracture which increased the risk 2.3-fold
• rheumatoid arthritis which increased the risk 2.2-fold
• rheumatoid arthritis which increased the risk 2.2-fold
• osteoarthritis of the wrist which increased the risk 1.9-fold
• obesity which increased the risk 2.1-fold
• diabetes which increased the risk 1.5-fold
• use of insulin which increased the risk 1.5-fold
• use of sulphonylureas (for diabetes) which increased the risk 1.5-fold
• use of metformin (Glucophage for diabetes) which increased the risk 1.2-fold
• use of thyroxine (T4 thyroid hormone) which increased the risk 1.4-fold

Smoking, hormone replacement therapy, oral contraceptives, and oral corticosteroids were not associated with carpal tunnel syndrome.

The study included 3,391 cases, of which 2,444 were women (72 percent). Ages ranged from 16- to 96-years-old, with the average age being 46. Each case was matched with four controls.

REFERENCE

Geoghegan J, Clark D, Bainbridge L, Smith C, Hubbard R. Risk factors in carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg [Br]. 2004 Aug, 29(4):315-20.

Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome

• Health Risks of obesity