Twiddler's Syndrome and Neuromodulation-Devices: A Troubled Marriage.

OBJECTIVE: The occurrence of Twiddler's syndrome in subjects with neurostimulator devices is poorly understood and might be influenced by age, sex, BMI, use of medication or psychologic disorders.

METHODS: Two hundred thiry-five patients who received a neuromodulator were included in this retrospective study in a period between 2008 and 2015. The subjects were divided into a group of Twiddler's syndrome patients (TS) and a group of non-Twiddler's patients (NTS). Outcome measures were gender, age at implantation, type of neuromodulation, use of antipsychotics, antidepressants and opioids, the presence of other psychologic disorders and BMI.

RESULTS: Both groups differ significantly in age (p = 0.024), weight (p = 0.001) and BMI (p = 0.001). No statistical difference was found in the type of neuromodulation (p = 0.537), gender (p = 0.368), the use of antipsychotics (p = 0.071), antidepressants (p = 0.097), and opioids (p = 1). Forward stepwise logistic regression of all variables showed that age of implementation (p = 0.029), the use of antipsychotics (p = 0.022) and BMI (p = 0.001) were statistically significant for predicting Twiddler's syndrome.

CONCLUSION: Twiddler's syndrome is an uncommon complication of neuromodulation implantable devices. Younger age, use of antipsychotics, and high BMI are risk factors that can be used to facilitate rapid diagnosis and treatment.