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.

MATERIALS AND 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.

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