BACKGROUND: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is entrapment of median nerve in carpal 
tunnel of the wrist. The prevalence of CTS related to pregnancy and 
non-pregnancy is unknown in some countries such as Iran. The main aim of this 
study was to determine the prevalence of CTS in women of Boyerahmad Township 
located in South-West part of Iran.
METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive analytic study was done since February 
2010 to January 2011 in Obstetrics and Gynecology clinics in 2656 non-pregnant 
and 1508 pregnant women. The women that had clinical symptoms of CTS performed 
standard electro diagnostic techniques for rule in or rule out of CTS.
RESULTS: The prevalence of CTS in pregnant and non- pregnant women was 3.4 and 2 
.3 percent respectively. The prevalence of CTS in all women was 2.7%. Overall, 
51 pregnant women had CTS that 59.4% had mild, 18.8 % had moderate and 21.9% had 
severe CTS. Sixty-one non-pregnant women had CTS that 73.6 %had mild, 20.8 %t 
had moderate and 5.6 % had severe CTS.
CONCLUSION: Although the prevalence of CTS in Iranian pregnancy is higher than 
non-pregnancy women conservative treatment is safe and more effective.