Changes in hand function and health state utility after cubital tunnel release using the United Kingdom Hand Registry.
retrospective_cohort · Level III
Where this comes from
- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 39268766.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1177/17531934241275487 and PMC identifier 11849257.
- Licence recorded as CC BY.
- The licence permits redistribution, so the abstract is shown in full and the full text is available from the publisher.
Abstract
This study aimed to analyse and contrast changes in health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and hand symptoms in the first 6 months after surgical treatment for primary cubital tunnel syndrome. Data originated from the United Kingdom Hand Registry. HR-QoL was assessed using the generic EuroQol five-dimensional assessment tool (EQ-5D-5L) and hand symptoms using the Patient Evaluation Measure (PEM). In total, 281 patients were included in the statistical analysis. Cubital tunnel release resulted in clinically relevant relief of hand symptoms. However, no improvement in HR-QoL was detected by the EQ-5D-5L. As a result, current health economic models, such as those used by the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK, might conclude that cubital tunnel release is not cost-effective. This discrepancy requires exploration, and hand-specific preference-based measures might be needed for value-based healthcare in hand surgery.<b>Level of evidence:</b> III.
Medical subject headings
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- Quality of Life
- Decompression, Surgical
- Health Status
Anatomy
- hand