
Hand & Wrist
Better 6-week result in carpal tunnel syndrome treatment with steroid injection vs. night splinting
This report has been verified
by one or more authors of the
original publication.
Lancet. 2018 Oct 20;392(10156):1423-1433. doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(18)31572-1
234 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were randomized to a single injection of 20mg methylprednisolone acetate or 6 weeks of nightly splinting. Patients were assessed primarily for outcomes on the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire at 6 weeks and 6 months. In addition, cost-utility analysis was performed. Results for the BCTQ Symptom Severity Score and Functional Status Score significantly favoured the CS injection group compared to the nightly splinting group at 6 weeks, while differences at 6 months were not significant. On a 6-month timeline, CS injection demonstrated an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of £4193 per QALY gained compared to nightly splinting, with a 76% probability of being considered cost-effective at a willingness-to-pay threshold of £20,000.
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