Prevalence, awareness, and determinants of carpal tunnel syndrome among adults in Jazan City, Saudi Arabia: a cross-sectional study

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral mononeuropathy affecting the upper extremities, leading to pain, numbness, and functional impairment. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, awareness, and determinants of CTS among adults in Jazan City. Subjects and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 511 adult residents of Jazan using a validated self-administered questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, CTS prevalence, and knowledge. Results: The prevalence of physician-diagnosed CTS was 4%. Female participants had hig her odds of CTS compared to males (OR = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.05-0.86, p = 0.041). Rheumatoid arthritis was a significant predictor, increasing the risk fivefold (OR = 5.62, 95% CI: 6.31-8.40, p < 0.001), while diabetes mellitus and thyroid disorders were not significantly associated with CTS. In terms of knowledge assessment, 88% of participants correctly identified CTS causes and symptoms, while 90% were aware of treatment options. Linear regression analysis showed that higher income levels were positively associated with greater CTS knowledge (β = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.28-2.18, p = 0.011). Conversely, male participants had significantly lower CTS knowledge scores compared to females (β = −1.29, 95% CI: −2.02 to −0.55, p = 0.001), and higher body mass index was associated with lower CTS knowledge scores (β = −0.06, 95% CI: −0.12 to −0.00, p = 0.037). Conclusion: The prevalence of CTS in Jazan City aligns with global estimates. Female gender and rheumatoid arthritis were significant predictors of CTS diagnosis. Public health initiatives should focus on enhancing education about CTS treatment to improve management.