The effect of carpal tunnel release on health-related quality of life of 2346 patients over a 5-year period.

In this prospective cohort study, the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) from a societal perspective of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) patients was determined and compared with other diseases. In addition, the effect of carpal tunnel release (CTR) was analysed 6 weeks postoperatively with regard to mean EQ-5D index value improvement, side-effects of surgery and cost per quality adjusted life year (QALY) gained. We found a baseline mean EQ-5D index value of 0.