Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of the Spanish version of the 6-item carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms scale (CTS-6).MethodsIn this cross-sectional study 40 patients diagnosed with CTS based on clinical and neurophysiologic criteria, completed the standard Spanish versions of the CTS-6 and the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (QuickDASH) scales on two occasions with a 1-week interval. Internal-consistency reliability was assessed with the Cronbach alpha coefficient and test-retest reliability with the intraclass correlation coefficient, two way random effect model and absolute agreement definition (ICC2,1). Cross-sectional precision was analyzed with the Standard Error of the Measurement (SEM). Longitudinal precision for test-retest reliability coefficient was assessed with the Standard Error of the Measurement difference (SEMdiff) and the Minimal Detectable Change at 95 % confidence level (MDC95). For assessing construct validity it was hypothesized that the CTS-6 would have a strong positive correlation with the QuickDASH, analyzed with the Pearson correlation coefficient (r).ResultsThe standard Spanish version of the CTS-6 presented a Cronbach alpha of 0.81 with a SEM of 0.3. Test-retest reliability showed an ICC of 0.85 with a SRMdiff of 0.36 and a MDC95 of 0.7. The correlation between CTS-6 and the QuickDASH was concordant with the a priori formulated construct hypothesis (r 0.69)ConclusionsThe standard Spanish version of the 6-item CTS symptoms scale showed good internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity for outcomes assessment in CTS. The CTS-6 will be useful to clinicians and researchers in Spanish speaking parts of the world. The use of standardized outcome measures across countries also will facilitate comparison of research results in carpal tunnel syndrome.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12891-016-0963-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of the Spanish version of the 6-item carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms scale (CTS-6)
Construct validity There was a strong positive correlation between the scores for the CTS-6 scale and the QuickDASH (r = 0.69, p < 0.001), Discussion The results have demonstrated that the CTS-6 patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measure has good internal consistency and test-retest reliability with a mean difference of the 1-week test-retest scores not statistically different from zero and lower than the MDC95
One of the measurement properties of PRO instruments included by the Medical Outcomes Trust in the instruments review criteria is the “respondent burden" defined as the time, energy, and other demands placed on those to whom the instrument is administered [14]
Summary
The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of the Spanish version of the 6-item carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) symptoms scale (CTS-6). The use of disease-specific measures of patient-reported outcomes (PRO) has grown in clinical research. Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is one of the most frequent conditions managed at hand surgery services. The CTS questionnaire developed by Levine et al [1] has been among the most widely used PRO measures during the last two decades. The CTS questionnaire consists of two Rosales et al BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders (2016) 17:115 about the reliability and validity of the CTS-6 since the first description done by Atroshi et al [2] in 2009. The purpose of this study was to assess the reliability and construct validity of the Spanish version of the 6-items CTS symptoms scale for outcomes assessment in CTS
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