EVALUATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RISK FACTORS AND CLINICAL AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL FINDINGS IN PATIENTS WITH A PRELIMINARY DIAGNOSIS OF CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the relationship between risk factors and the severity of symptoms, functional status, and electromyography (EMG) results in patients with a preliminary diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Material and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2025 and March 2025. The study population consisted of patients treated at Samsun Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Diseases Hospital who were referred to the EMG unit with a preliminary diagnosis of CTS. The sample size was calculated using the Minitab-16 program, and a total of 261 patients were included. Participant data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a questionnaire administered by an experienced EMG nurse. Electromyography (EMG) assessments were performed and reported by a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialist who was blinded to the questionnaire results. The questionnaire included 14 initial questions regarding the patients' age, gender, specific characteristics, risk factors related to CTS, and their Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores. Subsequently, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ) was administered. A significance level of p