IDIOPATHIC CARPAL TUNNEL SUNDROME (I.C.T.S.) CLINICAL AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION IN IRAQI PATIENTS

Introduction: carpal tunnel syndrome ( C.T.S )is a world wide disease which affects 5-10 % of population with a variable distribution rate among persons depending on their sex , age , occupation and precipitating factors ( in secondary C.T.S ) .It usually affects adults , females more than males It has variable modes of presentation and variable ways of alleviating the symptoms . This study aimed at evaluation of I.C.T.S both clinically and electrophysiologicaly in Iraqi patients . Patients and Methods : 54 Iraqi patients with 77 hands affected by I.C.T.S ( Secondary C.T.S cases were excluded )were received in rheumatology consultation clinic /AL- Yarmouk Teaching Hospital /Baghdad along 4 months period , and were evaluated (thouroghly )regarding age , sex , occupation , clinical , and electro-phys. abnormalities . Results were compared with other studies from other populations . Results : most of our patients were middle age ? females doing heavy house ? wife activities with chief presenting complaint of hyperesthesia.Clinically less wasting but more weakness than in other studies Electro-phys, results were comparable to other studies regarding DML and SAP but with a lower incidence of spontaneous activity among our pts. Conclusion : I.C.T.S . / Iraqi pts.is widely comparable to other studies ( from different parts of the world ) a part from less wasting of thenar muscles and lower % of spontaneous activity in electro ? phys .study.