RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Utility of Nerve Conduction Studies for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome by Family Medicine, Primary Care, and Internal Medicine Physicians
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 60
OP 64
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2007.01.060111
VO 20
IS 1
A1 J. Thomas Megerian
A1 Xuan Kong
A1 Shai N. Gozani
YR 2007
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/20/1/60.abstract
AB Introduction: Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are increasingly being performed at the point-of-service by family medicine, primary care, and internal medicine (FM/PCP/IM) physicians. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common neuropathy often diagnosed with the aid of NCS.Methods: A retrospective analysis of a point-of-service NCS data registry was conducted; 1190 patients who underwent NCS by 613 FM/PCP/IM physician practices, for evaluation of CTS were analyzed. Utility measures included demographic and electrophysiological characteristics of study population, adherence to evidence-based testing guidelines, and relevance of diagnostic outcomes.Results: Tested patients tended to be over 40, female, and overweight or obese. The median nerve distal motor latency was 4.4 ± 1.2 ms; 92.6% of studies met the testing guideline; 30.5% of tested limbs yielded normal results; 53.1% CTS; 5.4% ulnar neuropathy; and 11.0% nonspecific upper extremity neuropathy.Discussion: This study demonstrated that point-of-service NCS by FM/PCP/IM physicians for CTS was applied to appropriate patient subpopulations, was performed in accordance with evidence-based testing parameters, and generated relevant diagnostic outcomes.