Utilization of Preoperative Electrodiagnostic Studies for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: An Analysis of National Practice Patterns.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Given the lack of a reference standard diagnostic tool for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), we conducted a population-level analysis of patients undergoing carpal tunnel release to characterize the utilization of preoperative electrodiagnostic studies (EDS). Secondarily, we sought to determine the impact of EDS utilization on timeliness of surgery, number of preoperative physician visits, and costs.

Methods

The 2009-2013 Truven MarketScan databases were used to identify a national cohort of adult patients undergoing carpal tunnel release. Three multivariable regression models were designed to evaluate the relationship between preoperative EDS use and timing of surgical release, the number of preoperative physician visits, and total costs for CTS-related visits, while co

SUBMITTER: Sears ED 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4899197 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature