Fact · Accessibility and health
1 in 5people with hand symptoms
In the Swedish study, about 1 in 5 people with hand symptoms would be expected to have carpal tunnel syndrome on examination and nerve testing.
Checked against its source on October 16, 2026
In the source's own words
“1 in 5 symptomatic subjects would be expected to have CTS based on clinical examination and electrophysiologic testing”
Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population, Isam Atroshi et al., JAMA, 1999, Conclusion.
Open the original (DOI 10.1001/jama.282.2.153)- What it measures
- The same Swedish population study, in which responders with symptoms were examined and had nerve conduction tests.
- What it does not show
- One region of Sweden in 1997, so the ratio will vary with the population and the test used.