Rheumatoid Arthritis Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Rheumatoid Arthritis, including details on treatment, symptoms, causes, medication.

Comprehensive assessment of clinical outcome and quality of life after total elbow arthroplasty.

Angst F, John M, Pap G, Mannion AF, Herren DB, Flury M, Aeschlimann A, Schwyzer HK, Simmen BR

Schulthess Klinik, Zurich, Switzerland. fangst@datacomm.ch

OBJECTIVE: To assess quantitatively the outcome and to explore the physiometric and psychometric properties of clinical, generic, and condition-specific instruments after total elbow arthroplasty. METHODS: Seventy-nine patients were assessed in a 6-19-year cross-sectional catamnesis by means of 6 widely used questionnaires, clinical examinations, and radiographic examinations. RESULTS: With regard to pain, general physical health, and all the mental health dimensions of the Short Form 36 (SF-36), the patients showed scores comparable to normative values. Elbow joint stability and satisfaction were both good. Significant functional limitation was evidenced by the low mean scores of the SF-36 physical functioning measure (48.7, normative 69.9) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (DASH) function measure (51.1, normative 89.3). The SF-36 physical component summary and the DASH correlated highly (r = 0.76) and, in factor analysis, loaded on the factor "physical unspecific." The patient and clinical modified American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaire (mASES) correlated with the Patient Related Elbow Evaluation form (r = 0.92 with the patient mASES) and loaded on "physical specific." The SF-36 mental component summary loaded on "mental quality of life." CONCLUSION: The patients' self-rated health, quality of life, and clinical outcome were good and were not affected by impairment in some specific functional abilities. A questionnaire set comprising the SF-36 and the patient and clinical mASES is proposed for the comprehensive and specific assessment of outcome after elbow arthroplasty.

Published 10 February 2005 in Arthritis Rheum, 53(1): 73-82.
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