Prospective analysis of relationships of outcome measures for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow

Background. We undertook a prospective study to investigate relationships b etween outcome measures of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Methods: Thirty-o ne patients (mean age 52.6, range 20-80), with clinically and electrically verified ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, were seen independently by a neuros urgeon and a physiotherapist. All tests were administered to all patients o n each visit. Data collected included measures of sensory (monofilament, tw o-point discrimination, vibration) and motor function (grip, key-pinch, mus cle atrophy), pain (visual analogue scale (VAS)) and impact on lifestyle (L evine's questionnaires (function status score - FSS, symptom severity score - SSS)), disability of the arm, shoulder and hand module (DASH) and patien t-specific measures (PSM). Parametric and non-parametric correlation and fa ctor analysis were done. Results: Outcome analysis was available for 63 pat ient visits, with follow-up obtained for 20 patients (mean 8.5 months). Lif estyle and pain instruments (FSS, SSS, DASH, PSM and VAS) all correlated we ll with each other (r > 0.6, p < .01). DASH was moderately to highly correl ated to nine of the 11 measures. Some tests correlated poorly, for example, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament with other sensory measures and muscle atrop hy with almost all measures. Factor analysis revealed that there are two pr incipal factors, accounting for 77% of the variance. Factor 1 relates to im pact on lifestyle and pain while Factor 2 relates to strength and function. Discussion/Conclusions: Intraclass measures, particularly ones assessing l ifestyle and pain instruments are strongly correlated. Factor analysis reve aled two principal factors that account for the majority of the variance; f uture studies with a larger sample size are needed to validate this analysi s.