Socioeconomic Factors in Patients with Ulnar Nerve Compression at the Elbow: A National Registry-Based Study

Abstract

Aims. To investigate demographics and socioeconomic status in patients with ulnar nerve compression and the influence of socioeconomic factors on patient-reported outcome measurements (PROM) as evaluated by QuickDASH (short version of Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand) after surgery for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow. Methods. Patients operated for primary ulnar nerve compression from 2010 to 2016 were identified in the National Quality Registry for Hand Surgery Procedures (HAKIR). Patients filled out questionnaires before and at three and 12 months after surgery. A total of 1346 surgically treated cases were included. Data from HAKIR were linked to data from Statistics Sweden (SCB) on socioeconomic status (i.e., education level, earnings, social assistance, immigrant status, sick leave, unemployment, and marital status). Results. Patients surgically treated for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow differed from the general population with lower levels of education, higher social assistance dependence, a high proportion of unemployment, and lower earnings. However, the results were not clear concerning the influence of socioeconomic factors on the outcome of surgery, except for long-term sick leave. Conclusion. Patients surgically treated for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow are socioeconomically deprived, but only a history of long-term sick leave influences the outcome of surgery. This information is crucial in the diagnosis and treatment of these patients.