Peer-reviewed research

Diabetes as a risk factor for carpal tunnel syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis

MH Pourmemari and R Shiri, Diabetic Medicine, 2016 · DOI 10.1111/dme.12855

Read on October 16, 2026

What it is: A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of 36 studies that pooled the odds of carpal tunnel syndrome in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
How much weight it carries: Systematic search and tests for publication bias, which found none. Pools observational studies, so the link may partly reflect other factors such as body weight, and unadjusted and adjusted estimates are reported separately.

Facts taken from this source

Pooling 18 case-control or cohort studies that controlled for confounders, diabetes had a pooled odds ratio of 1.69 for carpal tunnel syndrome.
“The pooled odds ratio of 18 case-control or cohort studies consisting of >37 million individuals that reported estimates after controlling for potential confounders was 1.69 (95% CI 1.45-1.96).” (Abstract, Results)
Pooling 25 studies that reported unadjusted estimates, diabetes had a pooled odds ratio of 1.97 for carpal tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel release.
“The pooled odds ratio of 25 studies (including a total of 92 564 individuals) that reported unadjusted estimates for the association between diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel release was 1.97 (95% CI 1.56-2.49).” (Abstract, Results)

Peer-reviewed research

MH Pourmemari and R Shiri, Diabetic Medicine, 2016 · DOI 10.1111/dme.12855

Read on October 16, 2026

What it is: A systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of 36 studies that pooled the odds of carpal tunnel syndrome in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
How much weight it carries: Systematic search and tests for publication bias, which found none. Pools observational studies, so the link may partly reflect other factors such as body weight, and unadjusted and adjusted estimates are reported separately.

Pooling 18 case-control or cohort studies that controlled for confounders, diabetes had a pooled odds ratio of 1.69 for carpal tunnel syndrome.
“The pooled odds ratio of 18 case-control or cohort studies consisting of >37 million individuals that reported estimates after controlling for potential confounders was 1.69 (95% CI 1.45-1.96).” (Abstract, Results)
Pooling 25 studies that reported unadjusted estimates, diabetes had a pooled odds ratio of 1.97 for carpal tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel release.
“The pooled odds ratio of 25 studies (including a total of 92 564 individuals) that reported unadjusted estimates for the association between diabetes and carpal tunnel syndrome or carpal tunnel release was 1.97 (95% CI 1.56-2.49).” (Abstract, Results)