HYPOTHYROIDISM AND CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME: A META-ANALYSIS

This study aimed to assess the magnitude of the association between hypothyroidism and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Eighteen studies were included in a random-effects meta-analysis. A meta-analysis of the studies that did not control their estimates for any confounder showed an association between a thyroid disease (hypo- or hyperthyroidism) and CTS (N=9,573, effect size [ES]=1.32 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.04-1.68) and between hypothyroidism and CTS (N=64,531, ES=2.15 [95% CI, 1.64-2.83]). When a meta-analysis limited to the studies that controlled their estimates for some potential confounders, the association between a thyroid disease and CTS disappeared (N=4,799, ES=1.17 [95% CI, 0.71-1.92], I-2=0%), and the effect size for hypothyroidism largely attenuated (N=71,133, ES=1.44 [95% CI, 1.27-1.63], I-2=0%). Moreover, there was evidence of publication bias. This meta-analysis found only a modest association between hypothyroidism and CTS. Confounding and publication bias may still account for part of the remaining excess risk. Muscle Nerve 50: 879-883, 2014