Are standardized patient self-reporting instruments applicable to the evaluation of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow?
BACKGROUND
This study attempts to confirm that the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Measure self-administered questionnaire is valid specifically for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Validity of the Levine-Katz questionnaire for ulnar neuropathology compared with DASH was also studied.


METHODS
Forty-eight patients with isolated ulnar nerve surgery completed a 6-month evaluation. Patients were assigned a clinical stage. The DASH and Levine-Katz questionnaires were administered, and pinch and grip strength were measured preoperatively and postoperatively. Levine-Katz questionnaires were correlated with DASH to establish criterion validity. Construct validity was tested by determining a relationship between scores and clinical stages and by comparing scores preoperatively and postoperatively.


RESULTS
There was a high correlation between DASH scores and symptom severity and functional status. Although correlations were significant between DASH and biomechanical measures, correlation coefficients were lower. Postoperatively, all measures improved significantly.


CONCLUSIONS
This study confirms that scores on the DASH questionnaire reflect the clinical staging of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.
Zimmerman
Neal B
NB
The Curtis National Hand Center, Union Memorial Hospital, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Kaye
Marc B
MB
Wilgis
E F Shaw
EF
Zimmerman
Ryan M
RM
Dubin
Norman H
NH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000294:innervation* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010358:Patient Participation; D011336:Probability; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*; D020424:Ulnar Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult