Agreement of CTS-6 and Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire versus Nerve Conduction Study for Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Background: Multiple methods are used in diagnosing CTS.NCS is considered as a gold standard method, but it has certain limitation. So, some standardized, affordable and easily available questionnaires are required. CTS-6 tool, and Boston questionnaire are reliable and valid tool for diagnosis of CTS. The purpose of selecting CTS-6 tool and BCTQ was to utilize them in combination to make the diagnosis of CTS with the possibility of achieving results similar to those of NCS. Objective: To identify the agreement of CTS-6 tool and BCTQ with NCS. Method: This observational study enrolled 112 CTS patients who visited to NCS unit with either unilateral/bilateral symptoms.CTS-6&BCTQ were administered to determine probability and severity of CTS and then NCS was performed after their written voluntarily consent. Agreement of both scales were compared with NCS for diagnosis of CTS. Results: Significant agreement was found between NCS and Boston symptoms severity scale as well as functional status scale (p0.05) Conclusion: Significant agreement was found between NCS and both components of BCTQ. However, no agreement was observed between CTS-6 tool and NCS, but CTS-6 tools show high probability towards in the evaluation of CTS. So, both outcomes can be utilized in community where NCS is not available. Key words: BCTQ, Carpal tunnel syndrome, CTS-6 TOOL, NCS..