Evaluation of the Korean version of the patient-rated wrist evaluation.

STUDY DESIGN: Clinical measurements. Longitudinal.

PURPOSE: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the original patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE) into a Korean version (K-PRWE), and to measure the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the K-PRWE for the evaluation of distal radius fractures (DRFs).

METHODS: K-PRWE was developed by forward and backward translations of the PRWE and resolution of cultural discrepancies. Sixty-three DRF patients that underwent open reduction and volar plate fixation completed the K-PRWE at 3 months and 6 months postoperatively. Grip strength, wrist range of motion, VAS for wrist pain and the Korean version of DASH were performed at 3 months postoperatively. Reliability was measured by determining test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient) and internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient). Criterion and construct validity testing was performed using Spearman's correlation test. Responsiveness was evaluated using effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM).

RESULTS: Cronbach's alpha coefficient and the intraclass correlation coefficient of the K-PRWE were 0.94 and 0.96, respectively, which indicated that the internal consistency of the questionnaire items was sound and reliable. The correlation coefficient between K-PRWE and K-DASH scores was 0.74 and between K-PRWE and VAS scores was 0.69. Responsiveness was good with an ES of 0.84 and an SRM of 0.89.

CONCLUSIONS: The Korean version of the PRWE was found to be reliable, valid, and responsive to evaluate the pain and disability associated with distal radius fractures.