title: Accuracy and reliability of the Mayo Elbow Performance Score.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the reliability of the Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) and compare it with a validated outcomes instrument, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 42 patients with the chief problem of elbow dysfunction formed the study cohort. Patients with an immediate surgical indication or treatment at the index visit were excluded. The others completed an MEPS questionnaire; at a second visit 2 to 3 weeks later, they completed another MEPS questionnaire and were evaluated with the ASES elbow assessment. Reliability and accuracy were calculated using 2-tailed Pearson correlation coefficients with 95% confidence intervals. Pearson coefficients greater than 0.8 indicated strong agreement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The average MEPS score at the initial visit was 58. At the second visit, the average MEPS score was 69 and the average ASES score was 78. The Pearson coefficient for MEPS scores at the 2 time points averaged 0.82, and between the MEPS and ASES scores averaged 0.83. Both coefficients indicated strong agreement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MEPS has strong reliability when assessed at different times and when compared with a validated elbow outcomes instrument. Differences in compared scores of approximately 10 points indicate some patient improvement between time points; however, 95% confidence intervals, standard deviations, and ranges were essentially equivalent between and among tests, indicating similar accuracy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MEPS is a reliable outcomes instrument for clinical studies of elbow function that is used to assess nonsurgical treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, Memphis, TN.
authors.forename: Michael C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Cusick
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, Memphis, TN.
authors.forename: Nicolas S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Bonnaig
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, Memphis, TN.
authors.forename: Frederick M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Azar
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, Memphis, TN.
authors.forename: Benjamin M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Mauck
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, Memphis, TN.
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Tennessee-Campbell Clinic, Memphis, TN. Electronic address: kdaugherty@uthsc.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Throckmorton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: MEPS; Outcomes instrument; elbow pathology; reliability and accuracy; validation