The relationship of vitamin B-6 status to median nerve function and carpal tunnel syndrome among active industrial workers

Case reports and small case series suggest that vitamin B-6 deficiency is an important etiologic factor in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), This hypothesis has never been examined in a randomly selected study population, particularly among active workers. We examined 125 randomly selected active workers from two industrial plants, Each worker completed a self-administered symptom questionnaire and underwent electrodiagnostic testing of the median and ulnar sensory nerves. Laboratory biochemical analyses of vitamin B-6 status were also performed using the erythrocyte glutamic pyruvic transaminase assay, and quantification of plasma pyridoxal-5'-phosphate. Measurements of vitamin B-6 status were unrelated to self-reported symptoms potentially consistent with CTS, electrophysiologically determined median or ulnar nerve function, and CTS defined on the basis of self-reported symptoms and electrophysiologic measurements. These results suggest that CTS among active industrial workers is unrelated to vitamin B-6 status, Furthermore, in our opinion, empiric prescription of vitamin B-6 to patients with CTS is unwarranted and potentially hazardous.