The Polish version of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire: Associations between patient-rated outcome measures and nerve conduction studies.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between nerve conduction studies and three commonly used patient-reported outcome measures (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH], Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire [MHQ], and the Polish version of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire [BCTQ])

METHODS

A total of 218 consecutive patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) completed the BCTQ, MHQ, and DASH questionnaires followed by nerve conduction studies on their first visit to the clinic.

RESULTS

After a 14-day interval, 189 of these patients completed the BCTQ for the second time. The Polish version of the BCTQ was shown to have excellent internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity. The BCTQ's construct validity revealed a strong correlation with MHQ and DASH (both R>0.7; P<0.05). Generally, compound motor action potential amplitudes correlated slightly with MHQ (R=0.22; P<0.05) and its subscales, while sensory nerve action potential conduction velocities had a low correlation with the BCTQ's symptom severity scale (R=-0.16; p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The Polish BCTQ version demonstrated good psychometric properties. It can be used both in clinical and research practice. Objective results of diagnostic procedure influenced patients' lives as measured by subjective questionnaires.