Are standardized patient self-reporting instruments applicable to the evaluation of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow?

Abstract

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. 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. 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. This study confirms that scores on the DASH questionnaire reflect the clinical staging of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.