Performance of Simplified Scoring Systems for Hand Diagrams in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Screening

Details

• Alternative Title:
  J Hand Surg Am
• Personal Author:
  Calfee, Ryan P. ; Dale, Ann Marie ; Ryan, Daniel ; Descatha, Alexis ; Franzblau, Alfred ; Evanoff, Bradley
• Description:
  Purpose
  
  Katz et al have published a standardized scoring system of hand diagrams for carpal tunnel syndrome. The purpose of this study was to quantitatively evaluate alternative scoring of the hand diagram for detection of carpal tunnel syndrome.
  
  Methods
  
  In a prospective study of 1107 workers, 221 workers with hand symptoms completed hand diagrams and electrodiagnostic testing for carpal tunnel syndrome. Scoring algorithms for the hand diagrams included the Katz rating; a median nerve digit score (0–2) with a maximum of 2 symptomatic digits of thumb, index, and long; and isolated digit scores (0–1) of thumb, index, or long. Intraclass correlation coefficients quantified inter-rater reliability. Sensitivity, specificity, and logistic regression analyses evaluated scoring systems performances ability to predict abnormal median nerve conduction.
  
  Results
  
  One hundred ten (50%) subjects illustrated symptoms within the median nerve distribution. All scoring systems demonstrated substantial inter-rater reliability. “Classic” or “probable” Katz scores, median nerve digit score of 2, and positive long finger scores were significantly associated with abnormal median nerve distal sensory latency and median-ulnar difference. Abnormal distal motor latency was significantly associated with the median nerve digit score of 2 and positive long finger scores. Increasing Katz scores from “possible” to “probable” and “classic” were not associated with greater odds of electrodiagnostic abnormality. Positive long finger scores performed at least as well as the most rigorous scoring by Katz.
  
  Conclusions
  
  Symptoms diagramed within the median nerve distribution are associated with abnormal nerve conduction among workers. The median nerve digit score and the long finger score offer increased ease of use compared to the Katz method while maintaining similar performance characteristics. The long finger appears best suited for isolated digit scoring to predict abnormal median nerve conduction in a working population.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Adult Article Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Cohort Studies Confidence Intervals Electromyography Female Hand Hand Diagram Humans Logistic Models Male Mass Screening Median Nerve Neural Conduction Observer Variation Odds Ratio Predictive Value Of Tests Prospective Studies Scoring Screening Sensitivity And Specificity Severity Of Illness Index Workplace Young Adult

  More +
• Source:
  J Hand Surg Am. 2011; 37(1):10-17
• Pubmed ID:
  21975100
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC3438892
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  R01 OH008017/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States ; 2R01OH008017-06/OH/NIOSH CDC HHS/United States ; UL1 RR024992/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; P30 AR057235/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 RR024992-05/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States ; UL1 RR024992-03S5/RR/NCRR NIH HHS/United States
• Volume:
  37
• Issue:
  1
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:e35840315a8605e4e4d58fc0213eeb4f3c2fe553c73c32d03b725ab1309bf96a
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/33427/cdc_33427_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 318.72 KB ]