Dataset Information

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

ABSTRACT: 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.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 controlling for sociodemographic variables, insurance type, comorbid conditions, and treatment characteristics.The final study cohort included 62,894 patients who underwent carpal tunnel release, of whom 58% had preoperative EDS. Patients undergoing EDS waited 36% longer for surgical release than patients without EDS. The mean time between diagnosis and surgery was predicted to be 183 days for patients who underwent preoperative EDS and 135 days for patients who did not. Patients having EDS experienced 1 additional visit, $996 greater total costs, and $112 additional out-of-pocket costs on average. Occupational therapy consultation and steroid injection were also associated with increased time to surgery, but with one-fourth and one-third the added cost of EDS, respectively.On the basis of national practice trends, providers do not consistently agree with the practice of performing EDS before carpal tunnel release. Given the uncertain utility of routine EDS before carpal tunnel release and its association with delays to surgery and increased costs, further evaluation of EDS in relation to patient preferences and value of care is warranted.Prognostic II.

SUBMITTER: Sears ED

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

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

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

Sears Erika D ED Swiatek Peter R PR Hou Hechuan H Chung Kevin C KC

The Journal of hand surgery 20160409 6

<h4>Purpose</h4>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.<h4>Methods</h4>The 2009-2013 Truven MarketScan databases were used to identify a nat ...[more]

PMID: 27068003

Similar Datasets

Project description:PurposeGabapentinoids are commonly prescribed for the treatment of neuropathic pain but are not recommended for the primary treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). We sought (1) to investigate the preoperative use of gabapentinoids for the treatment of CTS and (2) to determine whether preoperative exposure is associated with persistent gabapentinoid and opioid use after carpal tunnel release.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study using IBM MarketScan Research Databases (2010-2017) of patients who did not fill a gabapentinoid or opioid prescription within 3 months of a new CTS diagnosis undergoing surgical release. Our primary outcomes included preoperative gabapentinoid prescription fills associated with CTS and persistent prescription fills of gabapentinoids and opioids at 91 to 180 days after surgery. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between patient-level factors and persistent gabapentinoid and opioid use.ResultsOf the 56,593 patients without a previous gabapentinoid or opioid prescription prior to diagnosis of CTS, 3,474 patients (6%) filled a gabapentinoid prescription before carpal tunnel release. Overall, 835 patients (24% of the preoperative users) continued to fill gabapentinoid prescriptions at 91 to 180 days after surgery. Of the preoperative gabapentinoid users, 20% (702 patients) continued to fill opioid prescriptions at 91 to 80 days after release. After adjusting for patient characteristics, preoperative gabapentinoid use was associated with increased odds of persistent postoperative gabapentinoid use (preoperative gabapentinoid, 22% adjusted probability; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 20.3%-23.0%, no preoperative gabapentinoid use, 1%; 95% CI, 1.2%-1.4%) and persistent postoperative opioid use (preoperative gabapentinoid, 18% adjusted probability; 95% CI, 17%-20%), no preoperative gabapentinoid, 9%; 95% CI, 8.6%-9.1%).ConclusionsDespite a lack of evidence to support the use of gabapentinoids for CTS, 6% of patients are prescribed a gabapentinoid prior to surgery, and prolonged use is common. Given the effectiveness of surgical release and the risks associated with gabapentinoids, greater attention is needed to ensure that gabapentinoids are prescribed appropriately, avoided when possible, and stopped after surgery.Type of study/level of evidencePrognostic II.

Dataset Information

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

Publications

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

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure

Tweets