Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the 6-item Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms Scale

Reliability and Validity of the Turkish Version of the 6-item Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Symptoms Scale

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that affects the median nerve that usually cause numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the hand and fingers. While definitive diagnosis is made with nerve conduction studies, the patient's history and physical examination findings lead the clinician to the diagnosis of CTS. Using factor analysis and item response theory methodology, Atroshi et al. developed a short 6-item version of the symptom severity scale to ease respondent burden while maintaining the psychometric properties of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire. It has been demonstrated that the 6-item CTS Symptom Scale has good reliability, validity and responsiveness.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the Turkish version of the 6-item CTS symptoms scale for CTS.

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common condition that affects the median nerve that usually cause numbness, tingling, pain, and weakness in the hand and fingers. While definitive diagnosis is made with nerve conduction studies, the patient's history and physical examination findings lead the clinician to the diagnosis of CTS. The use of patient-completed disease-specific scales is increasing in clinical research and patient follow-up. Various scales have been developed to question symptoms related to hand problems. The Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire and the 6-item CTS Symptom Scale are the scales that have been shown to be used to assess symptom severity and for diagnostic screening. Using factor analysis and item response theory methodology, Atroshi et al. developed a short 6-item version of the symptom severity scale to ease respondent burden while maintaining the psychometric properties of the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire . It has been demonstrated that the 6-item CTS Symptom Scale has good reliability, validity and responsiveness.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and construct validity of the Turkish version of the 6-item CTS symptoms scale for CTS.

Inclusion Criteria:

• presence of numbness or tingling in at least two radial side fingers,
• a positive Phalen's test result,
• symptoms lasting more than three months
• consistent nerve conduction study with CTS.

Exclusion Criteria:

• those with no electrophysiological evidence of CTS,
• diabetes or other metabolic diseases,
• any other inflammatory diseases.