Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Among Multigravida Pregnant Women in Khyber Teaching Hospital Peshawar

Abstract

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent peripheral neuropathy affecting women during pregnancy, particularly in later trimesters due to hormonal changes and fluid retention. Despite growing global awareness, limited data exist on the prevalence and functional impact of CTS in multigravida pregnant populations in low-resource settings such as Peshawar, Pakistan. Objective: To determine the prevalence of CTS and its association with functional impairment in activities of daily living among multigravida pregnant women using validated clinical and questionnaire-based assessment tools. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Khyber Teaching Hospital, Peshawar, with a sample size of n = 218 multigravida pregnant women aged 20–35 years, selected through convenience sampling. Women with prior wrist trauma, diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, or rheumatoid conditions were excluded. Data were collected using the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTQ) and physical tests (Tinel’s sign, Phalen’s test, and carpal compression test). Functional limitation was assessed using the BCTQ functional subscale. Ethical approval was obtained, and all participants provided informed consent in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS v27, applying descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and one-way ANOVA with post hoc analysis. Results: CTS was identified in 41.3% of participants, with mild (22.0%), moderate (17.4%), and severe (1.8%) presentations. Functional impairment was present in 39.4%, with a statistically significant association between CTS severity and ADL limitations (F(3,214) = 17.82, p < 0.001, η² ≈ 0.20), indicating substantial clinical impact. Conclusion: CTS is a common and functionally significant condition among multigravida pregnant women in this population. Integrating CTS screening into routine antenatal care may enhance early diagnosis, reduce symptom burden, and improve maternal quality of life through timely physiotherapeutic interventions.