BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome refers to a constellation of symptoms 
resulting from compression of the median nerve at the wrist. The characteristic 
symptoms include pain and numbness in the hands.
AIM: To identify the risk factors responsible for carpal tunnel syndrome, to 
identify the symptom severity as well as functional status of patients with 
carpal tunnel syndrome, and to determine the relationship between symptom 
severity and functional status among patients with carpal tunnel syndrome.
SETTINGS AND DESIGN: A non-experimental descriptive study was conducted.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to 
assess the risk factors. Standardized questionnaires included the symptom 
severity scale (SSS) and functional status scale (FSS).
RESULTS: The risk factors assessed were the female gender (64%), premorbidities 
(75%), diabetes mellitus (53%), hypertension (25%), dyslipidemia (24%), 
osteoarthritis (8%), and impaired thyroid functions (10%). Fifty-one patients 
were overweight and 8 were obese. There was an association between symptom 
severity and presence of any of the premorbidities (χ2 = 5.80; P < 0.05). There 
was also an association between symptom severity and diabetes mellitus (χ2 = 
13.62; P < 0.05). A positive correlation was also noted between the symptom 
severity and the functional status of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (r = 
0.705; P = 0.00).
CONCLUSIONS: Prompt recognition, timely management, and avoidance of risk 
factors responsible for the manifestations of carpal tunnel syndrome have 
practical implications in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.