Comparison between cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome with patients' reported outcomes measures preoperatively : pilot study

Keywords:

Cubital tunnel syndrome ; carpal tunnel syndrome ; ulnar nerve entrapment ; DASH ; Michigan hand outcomes questionnaire ; quality of life


Published online: Feb 09 2021

Marek Trybus, Mateusz Koziej

From the 2nd Department of General Surgery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare preoperative scores of Patients’ Reported Outcomes Measures of two of the most common upper extremity compression neuropathies : Cubital Tunnel Syndrome (CuTS) or Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in a single center. In total, 89 patients at the clinic were examined (CuTS :n=34 ; CTS :n=55). In the study, both the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Measure were used to compare the two analyzed hand disorders. The Mann-Whitney test was used and the results were presented as a median with an interquartile range. These final scores were significantly worse in cases of CTS in comparison to CuTS (MHQ p=0.037 ; DASH p=0.004). Analysis of each of the 6 MHQ subscales have shown that work and pain domain scores are significantly worse in the CTS group (both p=0.017). The remaining domains of hand function, activities of daily living, appearance, and satisfaction subscales did not show significantly statistical differences. The CTS group has lower outcomes in comparison with CuTS, when assessed by standardized general hand function questionnaires in an outpatient clinic. This study provides information which can be useful in allocation of resources for the two conditions.