Back to 2026 ePosters
Disparities in Barriers to Care and Patient Experience Among Adults with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A National Cohort of 25,000 Participants from the All of Us Research Program
Shujaa Khan, MD, Ignacio Pasqualini, MD, Samantha Panich, MD; Youssra Marjoua, MD
Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH
Introduction Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common entrapment neuropathies, yet access to timely, high-quality care is not equitable. Socioeconomic factors, insurance coverage, race/ethnicity, and gender may shape how patients experience and navigate care, but national-level data capturing these disparities in CTS remain limited. This study uses the All of Us Research Program to examine structural and perceptual barriers to care in a large, diverse cohort of adults with CTS.
Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of 25,000 adult participants diagnosed with CTS from the All of Us Research Program. Sociodemographic data, health status, and patient-reported barriers to care were compared across racial and ethnic groups (Black, Hispanic, and White). Key variables included insurance status, income, transportation, access to follow-up care, and perceptions of provider respect and communication. Chi-square tests were used to assess group differences.
Results Black and Hispanic participants with CTS reported higher rates of socioeconomic disadvantage and barriers to care compared to White participants. Over half of Black (56.4%) and Hispanic (52.8%) patients had household incomes <$25,000, compared to 19.7% of White patients. Transportation was reported as a barrier by 17% of Black and 16% of Hispanic patients, versus 7.4% of White patients (p<0.001). Cost-related obstacles such as high deductibles, skipped medications, and inability to see a specialist were also disproportionately reported by minority patients. Similarly, Black and Hispanic individuals more frequently reported difficulty accessing follow-up care, encountering providers who acted superior, and not always feeling listened to or respected. Notably, 13% of Hispanic participants reported insurance not being accepted versus 8.5% of White patients.
Conclusion Significant racial and socioeconomic disparities exist in perceived care quality and structural barriers among adults with CTS. These findings underscore the importance of addressing modifiable barriers - such as insurance coverage, transportation, and provider communication - in delivering equitable CTS care. Integration of social risk screening and culturally competent interventions may help reduce disparities and improve outcomes in underrepresented groups.
Back to 2026 ePosters
