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. 2022 Jul 15;3(3):353-362.
doi: 10.3390/epidemiologia3030027.

Socioeconomic Differences between Sexes in Surgically Treated Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

Malin Zimmerman  1   2 , Ilka Anker  1 , Erika Nyman  3   4
Affiliations

Socioeconomic Differences between Sexes in Surgically Treated Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Ulnar Nerve Entrapment

Malin Zimmerman et al. Epidemiologia (Basel). .

Abstract

We aimed to investigate socioeconomic differences between sexes and the influence on outcome following surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or ulnar nerve entrapment (UNE) at the elbow. Patients with CTS (n = 9000) or UNE (n = 1266) registered in the Swedish National Register for Hand Surgery (HAKIR) 2010-2016 were included and evaluated using QuickDASH 12 months postoperatively. Statistics Sweden (SCB) provided socioeconomic data. In women with CTS, being born outside Sweden, having received social assistance, and more sick leave days predicted worse outcomes. Higher earnings and the highest level of education predicted better outcomes. In men with CTS, more sick leave days and having received social assistance predicted worse outcomes. Higher earnings predicted better outcomes. For women with UNE, higher earnings predicted better outcomes. In men with UNE, only sick leave days predicted worse outcomes. In long-term follow up, socioeconomic status affects outcomes differently in women and men with CTS or UNE.

Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; sex differences; socioeconomic factors; surgical outcome; ulnar nerve entrapment.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Boxplot of sex differences in QuickDASH scores for patients having surgery for carpal tunnel syndrome (a) or ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow (b) preoperative and 12 months postoperative. QuickDASH–Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic illustration (Venn diagram) showing characteristics of women surgically treated for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow (UNE) in comparison to men (not shown)—differences and similarities in socioeconomic factors.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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