Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome During Pregnancy

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a common condition during pregnancy, associated with symptoms like tingling, numbness, and pain in the hand and arm due to median nerve compression. The prevalence and severity of CTS can increase due to physiological changes during pregnancy, such as fluid retention and hormonal fluctuations. Objective: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of CTS in pregnant women, identify the trimester with the highest occurrence, and assess the effectiveness of Phalen's and Durkan compression tests in diagnosing CTS during pregnancy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted over six months at Akhtar Saeed Trust Teaching Hospital and Farooq Hospital, Lahore, involving 121 pregnant women. Participants were selected using non-probability convenience sampling and were divided by trimester. The diagnosis of CTS was confirmed through Phalen's and Durkan compression tests. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 25, with a chi-square test to evaluate the association between CTS prevalence and pregnancy trimester. Results: The prevalence of CTS among the participants was identified as 33.1% with Phalen's test and 55.4% with Durkan's compression test. The third trimester showed the highest occurrence of CTS symptoms, with a significant increase in prevalence (p=0.005 for Phalen’s test and p=0.394 for Durkan compression test). The frequency of CTS symptoms was 28.9% in the first trimester, 32.2% in the second trimester, and 38.8% in the third trimester. Conclusion: The study confirms that CTS is prevalent among pregnant women, particularly in the third trimester. The findings emphasize the need for healthcare providers to be aware of the increased risk of CTS during pregnancy and the importance of early diagnosis and management to alleviate symptoms.