[Comparison of rheumatic and post-traumatic elbow joints after total elbow arthroplasty. Comprehensive and specific evaluation of clinical picture, function, and quality of life].
BACKGROUND
Patients with elbow destruction due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) or trauma (PT) were compared to population-based normative data and to each other after total elbow arthroplasty.


METHODS
Pain, function, and biopsychosocial health were multidimensionally assessed by the generic Short Form 36 (SF-36), the condition-specific Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH), and the Patient Related Elbow Evaluation form (PREE) instrument and analyzed by uni- and multivariate methods.


RESULTS
Compared to normative values, the examined 59 RA patients were significantly affected in the function scales of the SF-36 and in all DASH scales. The 20 PT patients were worse than the norm only in the DASH function. Function was lower in RA than in PT in the SF-36 scales and in the DASH (RA: 44.4, PT: 70.3, p<0.001). This difference was less distinct in the PREE.


CONCLUSIONS
Total elbow arthroplasty led to a pain-free outcome and normal quality of life, but failed to restore complete function. Functional deficits were larger in the RA patients and could also be measured by the SF-36, possibly due to polyarticular affection.
Angst
F
F
Obere Extremitäten- und Handchirurgie, Schulthess-Klinik, Zürich, Schweiz. fangst@datacomm.ch
Goldhahn
J
J
John
M
M
Herren
D B
DB
Simmen
B R
BR
D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000601:surgery*; D019643:Arthroplasty, Replacement; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D000092464:Elbow Injuries