Hand assessment in older adults with musculoskeletal hand problems: a reliability study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Musculoskeletal hand pain is common in the general population. This study aims to investigate the inter- and intra-observer reliability of two trained observers conducting a simple clinical interview and physical examination for hand...

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Main Authors: Hay Elaine M, Thomas Elaine, Myers Helen L, Dziedzic Krysia S
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2011-01-01
Series:BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/12/3
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spelling doaj-c11c71cf361f47789f2208977eae98472020-11-25T00:03:09ZengBMCBMC Musculoskeletal Disorders1471-24742011-01-01121310.1186/1471-2474-12-3Hand assessment in older adults with musculoskeletal hand problems: a reliability studyHay Elaine MThomas ElaineMyers Helen LDziedzic Krysia S<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Musculoskeletal hand pain is common in the general population. This study aims to investigate the inter- and intra-observer reliability of two trained observers conducting a simple clinical interview and physical examination for hand problems in older adults. The reliability of applying the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for hand osteoarthritis to community-dwelling older adults will also be investigated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty-five participants aged 50 years and over with a current self-reported hand problem and registered with one general practice were recruited from a previous health questionnaire study. Participants underwent a standardised, structured clinical interview and physical examination by two independent trained observers and again by one of these observers a month later. Agreement beyond chance was summarised using Kappa statistics and intra-class correlation coefficients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Median values for inter- and intra-observer reliability for clinical interview questions were found to be "substantial" and "moderate" respectively [median agreement beyond chance (Kappa) was 0.75 (range: -0.03, 0.93) for inter-observer ratings and 0.57 (range: -0.02, 1.00) for intra-observer ratings]. Inter- and intra-observer reliability for physical examination items was variable, with good reliability observed for some items, such as grip and pinch strength, and poor reliability observed for others, notably assessment of altered sensation, pain on resisted movement and judgements based on observation and palpation of individual features at single joints, such as bony enlargement, nodes and swelling. Moderate agreement was observed both between and within observers when applying the ACR criteria for hand osteoarthritis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Standardised, structured clinical interview is reliable for taking a history in community-dwelling older adults with self reported hand problems. Agreement between and within observers for physical examination items is variable. Low Kappa values may have resulted, in part, from a low prevalence of clinical signs and symptoms in the study participants. The decision to use clinical interview and hand assessment variables in clinical practice or further research in primary care should include consideration of clinical applicability and training alongside reliability. Further investigation is required to determine the relationship between these clinical questions and assessments and the clinical course of hand pain and hand problems in community-dwelling older adults.</p> http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/12/3
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Hay Elaine M
Thomas Elaine
Myers Helen L
Dziedzic Krysia S
spellingShingle Hay Elaine M
Thomas Elaine
Myers Helen L
Dziedzic Krysia S
Hand assessment in older adults with musculoskeletal hand problems: a reliability study
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
author_facet Hay Elaine M
Thomas Elaine
Myers Helen L
Dziedzic Krysia S
author_sort Hay Elaine M
title Hand assessment in older adults with musculoskeletal hand problems: a reliability study
title_short Hand assessment in older adults with musculoskeletal hand problems: a reliability study
title_full Hand assessment in older adults with musculoskeletal hand problems: a reliability study
title_fullStr Hand assessment in older adults with musculoskeletal hand problems: a reliability study
title_full_unstemmed Hand assessment in older adults with musculoskeletal hand problems: a reliability study
title_sort hand assessment in older adults with musculoskeletal hand problems: a reliability study
publisher BMC
series BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
issn 1471-2474
publishDate 2011-01-01
description <p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Musculoskeletal hand pain is common in the general population. This study aims to investigate the inter- and intra-observer reliability of two trained observers conducting a simple clinical interview and physical examination for hand problems in older adults. The reliability of applying the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria for hand osteoarthritis to community-dwelling older adults will also be investigated.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Fifty-five participants aged 50 years and over with a current self-reported hand problem and registered with one general practice were recruited from a previous health questionnaire study. Participants underwent a standardised, structured clinical interview and physical examination by two independent trained observers and again by one of these observers a month later. Agreement beyond chance was summarised using Kappa statistics and intra-class correlation coefficients.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Median values for inter- and intra-observer reliability for clinical interview questions were found to be "substantial" and "moderate" respectively [median agreement beyond chance (Kappa) was 0.75 (range: -0.03, 0.93) for inter-observer ratings and 0.57 (range: -0.02, 1.00) for intra-observer ratings]. Inter- and intra-observer reliability for physical examination items was variable, with good reliability observed for some items, such as grip and pinch strength, and poor reliability observed for others, notably assessment of altered sensation, pain on resisted movement and judgements based on observation and palpation of individual features at single joints, such as bony enlargement, nodes and swelling. Moderate agreement was observed both between and within observers when applying the ACR criteria for hand osteoarthritis.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Standardised, structured clinical interview is reliable for taking a history in community-dwelling older adults with self reported hand problems. Agreement between and within observers for physical examination items is variable. Low Kappa values may have resulted, in part, from a low prevalence of clinical signs and symptoms in the study participants. The decision to use clinical interview and hand assessment variables in clinical practice or further research in primary care should include consideration of clinical applicability and training alongside reliability. Further investigation is required to determine the relationship between these clinical questions and assessments and the clinical course of hand pain and hand problems in community-dwelling older adults.</p>
url http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2474/12/3
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