A Comparison of Three Diagnostic Tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Latent Class Analysis

Abstract

Ultrasound, nerve conduction studies, and CTS-6 have similar sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. The currently accepted reference standard (nerve conduction studies) had the lowest sensitivity and specificity of the three tests. These findings support previous studies that have suggested that CTS-6 and ultrasound are highly accurate in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and that nerve conduction studies are not necessary in most cases.