Changes in hand function and health state utility after cubital tunnel release using the United Kingdom Hand Registry
This study aimed to analyse and contrast changes in health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and hand symptoms in the first 6 months after surgical treatment for primary cubital tunnel syndrome. Data originated from the United Kingdom Hand Registry. HR-QoL was assessed using the generic EuroQol five-dimensional assessment tool (EQ-5D-5L) and hand symptoms using the Patient Evaluation Measure (PEM). In total, 281 patients were included in the statistical analysis. Cubital tunnel release resulted in clinically relevant relief of hand symptoms. However, no improvement in HR-QoL was detected by the EQ-5D-5L. As a result, current health economic models, such as those used by the National Institute for Health Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK, might conclude that cubital tunnel release is not cost-effective. This discrepancy requires exploration, and hand-specific preference-based measures might be needed for value-based healthcare in hand surgery.<b>Level of evidence:</b> III.
Authors
- Brigitte E.P.A. van der Heijden (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4391-7033)
- J.S. Teunissen (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6147-7297)
- Jennifer C. E. Lane (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1729-8654)
- Steven E. R. Hovius (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0672-4563)
- Fadi Issa (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8279-7732)
- Gráinne Bourke (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0059-8543)
- Conrad J Harrison (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1428-5751)
- Ryckie G. Wade (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8365-6547)
- Timothy T. Griffiths (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5993-8525)
- Jeremy N. Rodrigues
Institutions
- University of Leeds (GB)
- Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
- Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust (GB)
- Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre (GB)
- Stoke Mandeville Hospital (GB)
- Radboud University Medical Center (NL)
- University of Warwick (GB)
- University of Oxford (GB)
- Jeroen Bosch Ziekenhuis (NL)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume)
- Published
- 2024-09-13
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1177/17531934241275487
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Orthopedic Surgery and Rehabilitation
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.15
Funders
- National Institute for Health and Care Research
- Medical Research Council