A self-administered questionnaire for the assessment of severity of symptoms and functional status in carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract

This clinical study aimed to validate a self-administered questionnaire to assess severity of symptoms and functional status in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. In a group of 38 patients who were evaluated at a median of 14 months postoperatively, the mean symptom-severity score improved from 3.4 points preoperatively to 1.9 points at the latest follow-up examination, while the mean functional-status score improved from 3 to 2 points (5 points is the worst score and 1 point is the best score for each scale). Similar improvement was noted in 26 patients who were evaluated at 3 months post-operation. They conclude that the questionnaire is reproducible, consistent and responsive to clinical change. They state the questionnaire should standardise the measurement of outcomes in studies of treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome.