Research suggests that, in individuals with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), low
plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP) concentrations are related to an increased incidence
and severity of symptoms associated with CTS. This study was designed to determine
the relationship between plasma and red blood cell PLP concentrations and the severity
and incidence of CTS symptoms. Thirty people with CTS were selected for a 9 month
exercise study. Subjects were divided into either vitamin users or non-vitamin users
based on supplement use data gathered at the beginning of the study. Blood was drawn at
1, 6 and 9 months. CTS symptoms questionnaires and health questionnaires were also
administered at these intervals. The symptoms questionnaires were used to gather data on
the frequency and nature of hand and wrist symptoms. Health questionnaires focused on
vitamin supplement usage including frequency, amount and length of use. Mean plasma
PLP, total plasma vitamin B6 and erythrocyte PLP concentrations were significantly
higher in the sixteen vitamin users when compared to the fourteen non-vitamin users
(p<0.001). While there was variation in plasma PLP and total plasma vitamin B6 over
time, within each group, there were no significant changes in any of the status measures
over the nine month period. Mean erythrocyte PLP concentration, in particular, was
stable over time. In vitamin users, the intensity of pain, numbness and tingling was
significantly higher when compared to non-vitamin users. In both groups, plasma PLP
was negatively correlated with pain. This correlation reached statistical significance in
vitamin users at month one and nine (p<0.01), but not at month six; a statistically
significant correlation between these two variables was not found in non-vitamin users at
any time point. Pain was also negatively and significantly correlated with plasma total
vitamin B6 and erythrocyte PLP in vitamin users. No other symptoms were significantly
correlated with the status measures. These results indicate that a higher vitamin B6 status
may be related to a decrease in the severity of pain experienced by some individuals with
CTS. / Graduation date: 1998
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ORGSU/oai:ir.library.oregonstate.edu:1957/27461 |
| Date | 20 August 1997 |
| Creators | Bolli, Andrea M. |
| Contributors | Leklem, James E. |
| Source Sets | Oregon State University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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