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Preferred sleep position on the side is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome

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HAND

Abstract

Background

Although carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compressive neuropathy, there is no comprehensive theory of its etiology. Because of the prevalence of night symptoms, we are interested in the role of sleep position in the causation of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Methods

We performed a case–control study comparing the prevalence of preferred sleep position in 68 cases and 138 controls. Analysis was stratified by age and gender and controlled for body mass index.

Results

We found a strong and significant association between a preference for sleeping on the side and the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome in men and in women less than 60 years of age. Body mass index was associated with carpal tunnel syndrome in women but not men.

Conclusions

Our findings of a strong association between the presence of carpal tunnel syndrome and preferred sleeping on the side suggest a comprehensive unifying theory of causation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, University of Louisville, School of Public Health and Information Sciences, 485 Gray Street, Rm 130, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA

    Steven J. McCabe & John Myers

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA

    Steven J. McCabe, Amit Gupta & David E. Tate

Authors
  1. Steven J. McCabe
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  2. Amit Gupta
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  3. David E. Tate
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  4. John Myers
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Steven J. McCabe.

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McCabe, S.J., Gupta, A., Tate, D.E. et al. Preferred sleep position on the side is associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. HAND 6, 132–137 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-010-9308-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11552-010-9308-2

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