Distinct characteristics of carpal tunnel syndrome among Sjögren's disease patients and their clinical implications.

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment syndrome, affecting 3-6% of the adult population. Its prevalence among patients with primary Sjögren's disease (pSjD) is much higher. Interestingly, clinical observations do not support the view that the incidence of CTS increases with joint involvement. Moreover, patients with pSjD oftentimes present worse outcomes of traditional therapeutic methods. Herein, we present two cases of patients with CTS in the course of pSjD. In one of them, there was rapid recurrence of symptoms after surgery, and in the other, delayed healing was observed. In this article, the authors highlight the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges encountered in daily practice, resulting from probable differences in the pathophysiology of nerve involvement in Sjögren's disease patients.