Gh Oliaiy , M Akbari , H Bagheri , R Abolfazli , S Talebian , F Fattahi ,
Volume 55, Issue 5 (1 1997)
Abstract
Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is considered by researchers because of its high prevalence, and several studies have been done to find the causes and factors which increase the chance for the syndrome. These studies have shown relationships between this syndrome with some physical parameters like wrist dimensions, weight and systemic conditions. There is no investigation on risk factors in CTS in our country. So the main goal of this research is to find and introduce predisposing factors for carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods: Seventy patients and 33 controls 22 to 70 years old were studied. Standard methods for median and ulnar nerve studies were used and questionnaires included physical measurements, history of diseases and personal information were completed for each person. Results: Patients had higher wrist ratio (mean difference, 0.0267, P<0.001), weight (mean difference: 6.098, P<0.001) and body mass index (mean difference: 3.376, P<0.001). Regression analysis showed strong positive relation between wrist ratio and median latencies. The strongest correlation was found between wrist ratio and median minus ulnar distal sensory latencies (Y2=0.4014, P<0.0001). No relation was found between weight and body mass index with median latencies. Seventy-nine percent of patients and 48.5% of controls had wrist ratio of 0.7 or greater (P<0.05). Seventy-two percent of patients with repetetive hand activities and 78% with associated conditions had wrist ratio of 0.7 or greater. Seventy-six percent had wrist ratio less than 0.7. No relationship was found between obesity, diabetes, thyroid disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, taking oral contraceptive, hysterectomy, oophorectomy, menopause and repetetive hand activities with involvement of carpal tunnel syndrome. Discussion: Wrist dimensions seem to be an important predictor for carpal tunnel syndrome also in patients with associated conditions. If individuals with squarer wrists are involved in special conditions, they may show symptoms of the syndrom. Carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by many factors but wrist dimensions seem to be a predisposing factor and provides an explanation for bilateral involvement or familial occurrence of it.
Gh Oliaiy , M Akbari , A Nakhaiy ,
Volume 56, Issue 2 (30 1998)
Abstract
The effect of some anthropometric factors and loading on paravertebral muscles was tested in this study. Thirty two healthy men with mean age of 25.25 years participated in this study. They didn't have history of low back pain since 12 months ago. The effect of weight, height, upper limb length, abdominal & chest circumference and upper body height and other factors e.g. body mass and functional capacity indexes on maximum isometric torque of paravertebral muscles and spinal range of motion in all planes of movement and effect of loading with 0, 5, 10, 15 kg loads on paravertebral factors e.g. dynamic torque, velocity, work, power, and slope of torque was examined with a dynamometer named ISOSTATION B-200. Correlation, analysis of variance and t-test was used in SPSS program. Results show that maximum isometric torque and functional capacity index increased with increasing weight abdominal and chest circumference and body mass index (P<0.05). Height, upper body height and upper limb length don't have effects on this factors, and anthropometric factors don't have effects on range of motion. Maximum dynamic torque, maximum velocity, work and power were significantly increased and time of movement & slope of torque were significantly decreased while load increased (P<0.05). This study showed that load-velocity relationship in limb muscles can not help the paravertebral muscles studies because paravertebral muscles histologically differ from limb muscles.
