Validade e confiabilidade da versão em português do American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form

Establishing minimal clinically important difference for the UCLA and ASES scores after rotator cuff repair

BACKGROUND/HYPOTHESIS

Minimal clinically important difference (MCID) is a vital tool in the analysis of clinical results. It allows the determination of clinical relevance of statistical data. Our hypothesis was that specific differences between preoperative and postoperative scores would be able to accurately predict patient perception of improvement and satisfaction as reflected by anchor and distribution-based questions.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort with patients that underwent rotator cuff repair. We evaluated the University of California at Los Angeles Shoulder Rating Scale (UCLA) and the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Assessment Form (ASES) before and 12-months after surgery. Anchor-based, distribution-based and minimum detectable change (MDC) approaches were utilized.

RESULTS

We evaluated 289 shoulders. The MCID for the UCLA scale was 4.5 points using the anchor method, 2.5 by the distribution method and 3.6 by MDC. Patients with a baseline score>20 presented a lower MCID (1.5, 1.1 and 1.7, respectively). For the ASES score, the MCID was 6.1 by the anchor method, 10.5 based on the distribution method and 26.3 by MDC. In the group of patients above the 60 point cutoff, the obtained values were 2.4, 4.9 and 13.6, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The mean MCID value for the UCLA shoulder score is 3.5 points, ranging from 2.5 points (distribution method) to 4.5 points (anchor method). The mean MCID value for the ASES score was 15.2 points, ranging from 6.1 (anchor method) to 26.3 (MDC). Patients groups presenting with higher preoperative scores showed lower MCID values. This fact needs to be considered in postoperative comparisons between treatment groups.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Basic Science Study, Validation of Outcomes Instruments/Classification Systems.

How to Assess Shoulder Functionality: A Systematic Review of Existing Validated Outcome Measures

The objective of this review was to compile validated functional shoulder assessment tools and analyse the methodological quality of their validations. Secondarily, we aimed to provide a comparison of the tools, including parameter descriptions, indications/applications, languages and operating instructions, to choose the most suitable for future clinical and research approaches. A systematic review (PRISMA) was conducted using: PubMed, WoS Scopus, CINHAL, Dialnet and reference lists until 2020. The main criteria for inclusion were that papers were original studies of validated tools or validation studies. Pre-established tables showed tools, validations, items/components, etc. The QUADAS-2 and COSMIN-RB were used to assess the methodological quality of validations. Ultimately, 85 studies were selected, 32 tools and 111 validations. Risk of bias scored lower than applicability, and patient selection got the best scores (QUADAS-2). Internal consistency had the highest quality and PROMs development the lowest (COSMIN-RB). Responsiveness was the most analysed metric property. Modified UCLA and SST obtained the highest quality in shoulder instability surgery, and SPADI in pain. The most approached topic was activities of daily living (81%). We compiled 32 validated functional shoulder assessment tools, and conducted an analysis of the methodological quality of 111 validations associated with them. Modified UCLA and SST showed the highest methodological quality in instability surgery and SPADI in pain.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Argentine "American Shoulder and elbow surgeons, patient self-report section" questionnaire

BACKGROUND

American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaire (ASES-p) has been translated into Spanish, but it has not been adapted to the Argentine population yet. Although Spain and Argentina speak the same language, linguistic differences between Spanish-speaking countries may affect the interpretation of the different items included in the questionnaire.

OBJECTIVE

To conduct the translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the self-report section of the ASES-p into Argentine Spanish for patients with musculoskeletal shoulder disorders, and to assess its psychometric properties.

DESIGN

Study of diagnostic accuracy/assessment scale.

METHOD

The study was carried out in three consecutive phases: translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation for its use in Argentina. In the third phase, we used the ASES-p, Short Form 36 (SF-36), EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaires, and the Global Rating of Change (GROC) scale.

RESULTS

One hundred three participants completed a set of questionnaires on two occasions and were included in the final analysis. The time taken to answer and score the questionnaire was 118 and 52 s, respectively. Neither a ceiling nor a floor effect was observed. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.85. Intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.83. A significant correlation was found between the DASH, the GROC and various SF-36 subscales. There were strong indices of concurrent-cross validation, longitudinal validity, and construct validity. The ASES-p questionnaire showed a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) value of 7.88 points.

CONCLUSION

Some psychometric properties in reliability and validity were acceptable in the Argentine version of the ASES-p questionnaire.

A concise shoulder outcome measure: application of computerized adaptive testing to the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder Assessment

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported outcome measures enable quantitative and patient-centric assessment of orthopedic interventions; however, increased use of these forms has an associated burden for patients and practices. We examined the utility of a computerized adaptive testing (CAT) method to reduce the number of questions on the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) instrument.

METHODS

A previously developed ASES CAT system was applied to the responses of 2763 patients who underwent shoulder evaluation and treatment and had answered all questions on the full ASES instrument. Analyses to assess the accuracy of the CAT score in replicating the full-form score included the mean and standard deviation of both groups of scores, frequency distributions of the 2 sets of scores and score differences, Pearson and intraclass correlation coefficients, and Bland-Altman assessment of patterns in score differences.

RESULTS

By tailoring questions according to prior responses, CAT reduced the question burden by 40%. The mean difference between CAT and full ASES scores was -0.14, and the scores were within 5 points in 95% of cases (a 12-point difference is considered the threshold for clinical significance) and were clustered around zero. The correlation coefficients were 0.99, and the frequency distributions of the CAT and full ASES scores were nearly identical. The differences between scores were independent of the overall score, and no significant bias for CAT scores was found in either a positive or negative direction.

CONCLUSION

The ASES CAT system lessens respondent burden with a negligible effect on score integrity.

Health-related quality of life of patients with rotator cuff injuries, Cofee Triangle, Colombia, 2013

Objective

To determine the quality of life related to health and its related factors in patients diagnosed with rotator cuff lesions in the Municipality of Pereira, Colombia, 2013.

Methods

Cross-sectional study. Simple random sampling of 239 patients over 18 years of age attended at five health care institutions in the urban area of Pereira. Socio-demographic, biological, clinical and self-perception aspects of the disability were collected regarding the quality of life related to health. Use of measures of frequency, Chi-square and logistic regression for analysis.

Results

72% (173) reported poor quality of life related to health in the physical health status component and 60% (144) in the mental health status component. Factors associated with poor quality of life related to health according to physical health status were: schooling, having caregiver, and shoulder disability in manual activities, daily activities and pain and physical limitation. While the factors associated with poor quality of life related to health in mental health status components were: schooling, having caregiver and shoulder disability due to pain and physical limitation. The greater the perception of shoulder disability, the worse the perception of health status.

Conclusion

The introduction of psychometric measures for the evaluation of the health status of patients with shoulder injuries contributes to a treatment adjusted to individual requirements and daily activities of the patient.

Outcome assessment in the treatment of rotator cuff tear: what is utilized in Brazil?

This review evaluated the outcomes used in clinical studies involving rotator cuff tear published in the last decade in the two leading Brazilian orthopedic journals. A literature review was performed using the journals Revista Brasileira de Ortopedia and Acta Ortopédica Brasileira. It included all original clinical articles describing at least one outcome measured before or after any clinical or surgical intervention related to rotator cuff tear, published between 2006 and 2015. The authors evaluated range of motion, muscle strength, patient satisfaction, and tendon integrity and functional outcomes scores. There were 25 clinical studies published about rotator cuff in the two principal Brazilian orthopedic journals in the last decade, 20 case series (80%), one case-control (4%), and four cohorts (16%). Objective measures such as muscle strength, patient satisfaction, and evaluation of tendon integrity were little used. Range of motion measurements were performed in 52% of the articles. Evaluations of muscle strength and patient satisfaction were reported by 28% and 16% of the studies, respectively. Only 28% of the articles evaluated tendon integrity after surgery. Of these, 16% did so by magnetic resonance imaging and 12% by ultrasonography. The most used scale was the UCLA, present in 92% of the articles, while the Constant-Murley appeared in 20%. Scales deemed reliable, with high internal consistency and good responsiveness, were rarely used.

The Greek version of Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI): translation, cultural adaptation, and validation in patients with rotator cuff tear

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to translate and culturally adapt a Greek version of the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPADI) questionnaire and to validate its usage in Greek patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A forward and backward translation was performed, and the final version of the Greek questionnaire was administered to 134 outpatients (mean age 47.4 ± 14.5) with rotator cuff tear under conservative treatment. The questionnaire was re-administered 2-5 days later to assess test-retest reliability. Patients completed the Greek SPADI, the Greek version of the Quick DASH (Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire) and the EuroQoL EQ-5D. 102 of the 134 questionnaires were considered valid.

RESULTS

The internal consistencies of the SPADI total and its subscales measured with Cronbach's alpha coefficient were high (0.932 for SPADI-Total, 0.899 for SPADI-Disability, 0.905 for SPADI-Pain). Intraclass correlation coefficients showed excellent test-retest reliability (0.899 for Disability, 0.902 for Pain, and 0.929 for total SPADI). A significantly high positive correlation was found between the SPADI total score and its subscales, and Quick DASH for Pain and Disability. Significant correlations were also found between SPADI scales and EQ-5D variables. There was a moderate positive correlation with the variables "self-reliance" (r = 0.66), "common activities" (r = 0.58), and "pain/discomfort" (r = 0.49), and a weaker correlation with the "mobility" variable (r = 0.20). Factor analysis (PAF method) revealed a bidimensional formation of the SPADI. Eight items (five pain/three disability) weighted the first factor by >0.5, and five disability items weighted the second factor.

CONCLUSIONS

The Greek SPADI represents a valid and reliable tool for measuring pain and disability in patients with painful shoulder disorders.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 3.

The Brazilian version of the Constant-Murley Score (CMS-BR): convergent and construct validity, internal consistency, and unidimensionality

Objectives

To translate and culturally adapt the CMS and assess the validity of the Brazilian version (CMS-BR).

Methods

The translation was carried out according to the back-translation method by four independent translators. The produced versions were synthesized through extensive analysis and by consensus of an expert committee, reaching a final version used for the cultural adaptation. A field test was conducted with 30 subjects in order to obtain semantic considerations. For the psychometric analyzes, the sample was increased to 110 participants who answered two instruments: CMS-BR and the Disabilities of the Arm, shoulder and Hand (DASH). The CMS-BR and DASH score range from 0 to 100 points. For the first, higher points reflect better function and for the latter, the inverse is true. The validity was verified by Pearson's correlation test, the unidimensionality by factorial analysis, and the internal consistency by Cronbach's alpha.

Results

The explained variance was 60.28% with factor loadings ranging from 0.60 to 0.91. The CMS-BR exhibited strong negative correlation with the DASH score (−0.82, p < 0.05), Cronbach's alpha 0.85, and its total score was strongly correlated with the patient's range of motion (0.93, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The CMS was satisfactorily adapted for Brazilian Portuguese and demonstrated evidence of validity that allows its use in this population.

Psychometric properties of self-reported questionnaires for the evaluation of symptoms and functional limitations in individuals with rotator cuff disorders: a systematic review

PURPOSE

To conduct a systematic review of the psychometric properties (reliability, validity and responsiveness) of self-report questionnaires used to assess symptoms and functional limitations of individuals with rotator cuff (RC) disorders.

METHODS

A systematic search in three databases (Cinahl, Medline and Embase) was conducted. Data extraction and critical methodological appraisal were performed independently by three raters using structured tools, and agreement was achieved by consensus. A descriptive synthesis was performed.

RESULTS

One-hundred and twenty articles reporting on 11 questionnaires were included. All questionnaires were highly reliable and responsive to change, and showed construct validity; seven questionnaires also shown known-group validity. The minimal detectable change ranged from 6.4% to 20.8% of total score; only two questionnaires (American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeon questionnaire [ASES] and Upper Limb Functional Index [ULFI]) had a measurement error below 10% of global score. Minimal clinically important differences were established for eight questionnaires, and ranged from 8% to 20% of total score.

CONCLUSION

Overall, included questionnaires showed acceptable psychometric properties for individuals with RC disorders. The ASES and ULFI have the smallest absolute error of measurement, while the Western Ontario RC Index is one of the most responsive questionnaires for individuals suffering from RC disorders.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

All included questionnaires are reliable, valid and responsive for the evaluation of individuals with RC disorders. As all included questionnaires showed good psychometric properties for the targeted population, the choice should be made according to the purpose of the evaluation and to the construct being evaluated by the questionnaire. The WORC, a RC-specific questionnaire, appeared to be more responsive. It should therefore be used to evaluate change in time. If the evaluation is time-limited, shorter questionnaires or short versions should be considered (such as Quick DASH or SST).

Measurement properties of the Brazilian version of the Penn Shoulder Score (PSS-Brazil): reliability, validity, and responsiveness

STUDY DESIGN

Clinical measurement.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Brazilian version of the Penn Shoulder Score (PSS-Brazil) in patients with shoulder dysfunctions.

BACKGROUND

Several questionnaires assessing shoulder dysfunctions are available in Brazil, but the measurement properties of most of them, such as the PSS, have not yet been tested.

METHODS

Internal consistency, measurement error, construct validity, and floor and ceiling effects were evaluated in 62 patients, 36 of whom completed the questionnaire at baseline and after 2 to 7 days to assess test-retest reliability. Responsiveness was determined with 50 patients who completed the questionnaire at an initial visit and after 4 weeks of physical therapy.

RESULTS

The PSS-Brazil displayed acceptable internal consistency, with a Cronbach alpha of .92. Test-retest reliability was excellent, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.95; the standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change were 12.8 and 14.4 points, respectively. A high correlation was obtained between the PSS and the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (0.96) and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (0.86). There was moderate correlation between the PSS and its subscales and the pain and function subscales of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (0.40-0.68). There was high responsiveness, with an effect size of 0.95 and standardized response mean of 1.13 for patients with improvement of shoulder dysfunction, and adequate area under the curve of 0.81. No floor or ceiling effects were observed.

CONCLUSION

The PSS-Brazil is a reliable, valid, and responsive measure for assessing patients with shoulder dysfunction.

[Translation, cultural adaptation, validity and reliability of the shoulder rating questionnaire for use in Brazil]

OBJECTIVE

To translate and culturally adapt the Shoulder Rating Questionnaire (SRQ) to the Brazilian Portuguese language, and to determine its validity, reliability and sensitivity to change in patients with functional impairment of the shoulder.

METHODS

After translation and back-translation of the original version by four independent translators, the instrument was reviewed by a committee of experts and subsequently applied to eight patients with shoulder injury (target audience) to produce the Portuguese version. Then, this version was applied to 102 patients selected from four reference centers for functional treatment of the shoulder, who had a variety of clinical diagnoses, educational levels, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds. The evaluation was performed twice with an interval of four weeks between each application.

RESULTS

The Brazilian version of SRQ was equivalent in terms of semantics and showed good levels of reliability (Cronbach's Alpha=0.89 and ICC=0.83). The reproducibility was high (Spearman Correlation Coefficient=0.82) and validity of the items that ranged from 0.54 to 0.99 was considered excellent. The Cohen's d and T test for repeated measures showed that the instrument is able to monitor and track improvements in shoulder function.

CONCLUSION

Psychometric criteria were found, which justify the applicability of the Brazilian version of SRQ in individuals with shoulder functional impairments.

Treatment of reducible unstable fractures of the distal radius: randomized clinical study comparing the locked volar plate and external fixator methods: study protocol

BACKGROUND

Various treatments are available for reducible unstable fractures of the distal radius, such as closed reduction combined with fixation by external fixator (EF), and rigid internal fixation using a locked volar plate (VP). Although there are studies comparing these methods, there is no conclusive evidence indicating which treatment is best. The hypothesis of this study is that surgical treatment with a VP is more effective than EF from the standpoint of functional outcome (patient-reported).

METHODS/DESIGN

The study is randomized clinical trial with parallel groups and a blinded evaluator and involves the surgical interventions EF and VP. Patients will be randomly assigned (assignment ratio 1:1) using sealed opaque envelopes. This trial will include consecutive adult patients with an acute (up to 15 days) displaced, unstable fracture of the distal end of the radius of type A2, A3, C1, C2 or C3 by the Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Osteosynthesefragen-Association for the Study of Internal Fixation classification and type II or type III by the IDEAL32 classification, without previous surgical treatments of the wrist. The surgical intervention assigned will be performed by three surgical specialists familiar with the techniques described. Evaluations will be performed at 2, and 8 weeks, 3, 6 and 12 months, with the primary outcomes being measured by the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and measurement of pain (Visual Analog Pain Scale and digital algometer). Secondary outcomes will include radiographic parameters, objective functional evaluation (goniometry and dynamometry), and the rate of complications and method failure according to the intention-to-treat principle. Final postoperative evaluations (6 and 12 months) will be performed by independent blinded evaluators. For the Student's t-test, a difference of 10 points in the DASH score, with a 95% confidence interval, a statistical power of 80%, and 20% sampling error results in 36 patients per group.

DISCUSSION

Results from this study protocol will improve the current evidence regarding to the surgical treatment these fractures.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ISCRTN09599740.