The single assessment numeric evaluation correlates with the western ontario rotator cuff score in non-traumatic shoulder disease

Abstract

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are essential clinical instruments used for assessing patient function and assisting in clinical decision making. The Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) index is the PROM for shoulder pathology with the most psychometric properties but is very time consuming. The Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) method is a PROM that takes less time to answer and to analyze. The aim of the study is to evaluate the intra- class correlation between these two outcome scores in establishing shoulder function in patients with non-traumatic rotator cuff pathologies. Fifty five subjects of both genders and different ages presenting with non-traumatic shoulder pain for more than 12 weeks had a physical examination and ultrasound as well as MRI arthrogram scan findings that were consistent of a non-traumatic rotator cuff (RC) based pathology. On the same moment a WORC index and a SANE score questionnaire were filled in by the subject. The intra class correlation of both PROMs was statistically analyzed. The WORC index score and the SANE score show a moderate correlation with an Intra Class Coefficient (ICC) of r = 0.60 (95% CI:0.40-0.75). This study demonstrates a moderate correlation between the WORC index score and the SANE score in rating the disability of patients with atraumatic RC disease. The SANE score is applicable in research and clinical practice and is for the patient and the researcher an almost no time consuming PROM.