Abstract
Purpose
To test the hypothesis that an important step in a causative mechanism for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is sleeping in a lateral position (sleeping on the side), we designed a cross-sectional survey to measure the association between sleep position, age, gender, and body mass index (BMI).
Methods and Findings
We surveyed 247 patients in a primary care setting. Fifty percent of men and 73% of women prefer to sleep on their side (p < .001; unadjusted odds ratio, 2.7). In addition, the proportion of women who prefer to sleep on their side increased with increasing age (p < .001). There was no association between BMI and sleeping in a lateral position.
Conclusions
This study supports the hypothesis that sleeping on the side is an important step in a causal pathway for CTS.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atroshi I, Gummesson C, Johnsson R, Ornstein E, Ranstam J, Rosen I. Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population. JAMA. 1999;282:153–8.
Bland JD. The relationship of obesity, age, and carpal tunnel syndrome: more complex than was thought? Muscle Nerve. 2005;32:527–32.
Bland JP, Rudolfer SM. Clinical surveillance of carpal tunnel syndrome in two areas of the United Kingdom, 1991–2001. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74:1674–9.
Boz C, Ozmenoglu M, Altunayoglu V, Velioglu S, Alioglu Z. Individual risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome: an evaluation of body mass index, wrist index, and hand anthropometric measurements. Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2004;106:294–9.
Gupta R, Rummler L, Steward O. Understanding the biology of compressive neuropathies. CORR. 2005;436:251–60.
Keller RB, Largay AM, Soule DN, Katz JN. Maine carpal tunnel study: small area variations. J Hand Surg. 1998;23A:692–6.
Koltz PF, Fargione R, Chen R, Messing S, Gusenoff JA (2010) Inter-relationships of carpal tunnel syndrome with body mass indices in the massive weight loss population. Presented ASPN, Jan 2010, Boca Raton, Fl
Kubota T, Ohshima N, Kunisawa N, Murayama R, Okano S, Mori-Okamoto J. Characteristic features of the nocturnal sleeping posture of healthy men. Sleep Biol Rhythms. 2003;1:183–5.
Lozano-Calderon S, Anthony S, Ring D. The quality and strength of evidence for etiology: example of carpal tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg. 2008;33A:525–38.
McCabe SJ, Uebele AL, Pihur V, Rosales RS, Atroshi I. Epidemiologic associations of carpal tunnel syndrome and sleep position: is there a case for causation? Hand (NY). 2007;2(3):127–34.
Mondelli M, Giannini F, Giacchi M. Carpal tunnel syndrome incidence in a general population. Neurology. 2002;58:289–94.
Nathan PA, Wilcox A, Emerick PS, Meadows KD, McCormack AL. Effects of an aerobic exercise program on median nerve conduction and symptoms associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. J Occup Environ Med. 2001;43:840–3.
Nordstrom DL, Vierkant RA, DeStefano F, Layde PM. Risk factors for carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population. Occup Environ Med. 1997;54:734–40.
Phalen GS. The carpal-tunnel syndrome. Seventeen years' experience in diagnosis and treatment of six hundred fifty-four hands. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1966;48A:211–28.
Conflict of Interest Declaration
The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
McCabe, S.J., Xue, Y. Evaluation of sleep position as a potential cause of carpal tunnel syndrome: preferred sleep position on the side is associated with age and gender. HAND 5, 361–363 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-010-9271-y
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-010-9271-y