Correlation of electrodiagnostic findings and the disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to find out whether there is a relationship between the electrodiagnostic findings and disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire in the ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). Material and Methods: Patients whose clinical and electrodiagnostic findings were compatible with UNE were included in this retrospective cohort study. UNE patients were divided into mild, moderate and severe UNE according to the neurophysiological classification. DASH-disability / symptom (DASH-DS) scores of all patients were calculated. In addition, DASH work module (DASH-W) and DASH sports / performing arts module (DASH-SP) questionnaire were applied to some patients. Results: Thirty-nine UNE patients were included in the study. There were 26 mild UNE patients, 8 moderate UNE patients, and 5 severe UNE patients. There was a positive correlation between neurophysiological classification of UNE and DASH-DS / DASH-W scores (p = 0.002 r = 0.491, p = 0.012 r = 0.453). An inverse correlation was found between DASH-W scores and ulnar nerve compound muscle action potential / sensory nerve action potential amplitudes (p = 0.036 r = -0.413, p = 0.006 r = 0.-492). When the moderate and severe UNE group was evaluated as a single group, DASH-DS and DASH-W scores of mild UNE patients were low in those of moderate-severe UNE patients (p = 0.001, p = 0.012). Conclusion: This study showed a positive correlation between the DASH scores and the neurophysiological classification in the UNE. In addition to the DASH-DS questionnaire, the use of the DASH-W questionnaire can be useful in UNE.