The Clinical Value of the Self-Administered Kamath and Stothard’s Questionnaire in the Diagnostics of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

The clinician-administered Kamath and Stothard’s questionnaire is a recommended tool for assessing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). The authors investigated whether the self-administered Kamath and Stothard’s questionnaire (KSQ) can categorize the severity of CTS according to the Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) and predict the outcome of Carpal Tunnel Release (CTR). One hundred and forty-two consecutive patients were enrolled in this prospective study, who completed the KSQ and were referred for NCS. Symptom relief after CTR was considered as the reference standard. KSQ’s scores were compared with the severity of CTS confirmed by NCS and the effectiveness of the surgery, Sensitivity and Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of the KSQ was calculated. The sensitivity of KSQ in each NCS severity category (mild, moderate, and severe CTS) was low (11.9% - 50.0%), however, the sensitivity and PPV of KSQ in the moderate + severe CTS category was 88.9% and 95.5%. The KSQ score of 5 or greater was found to be correlated with a successful CTR (sensitivity 92.8%, PPV of 90.2%). The study revealed that the KSQ with a score of 5 or greater is able to distinguish the mild conditions from moderate and severe ones. The KSQ’s score of 5 or greater also can predict the successful outcome of CTR. The authors believe that in addition to reducing the duration and cost of diagnostics, the KSQ can also reduce patient appointments and clinic time. Application of the KSQ may be of paramount importance in the current Covid pandemic era.

录音机辅助调查与面访调查收集性行为数据的可靠性比较

目的 比较调查员面访调查 (FTFI)与录音机辅助自填问卷调查 (A SAQ)收集艾滋病敏感行为数据的可靠性差异。方法 用统一的问卷制成FTFI和A SAQ两种版面。招募建筑工人、服装个体户、服务小姐三类调查对象随机分为两组 ,一组先采用听录音调查 ,3～ 5天后采用面访调查 ;另一组先采用面访调查 ,3～ 5天后采用听录音调查 ,两次调查完成后 ,抽取约 2 0 %调查对象参加查后访谈。结果 三类调查对象共 6 0 4人完成了 2次调查。不涉及个人隐私的非敏感问题 ,两种方法差异无显著的统计学意义 (P >0 0 5 ) ;发生过性关系的自我报告率 ,FTFI高于A SAQ(χ2 值分别为 11 373、9 70 1、2 5 0 5 3;P均 <0 0 1) ;多性伙伴和商业性性伙伴的自我报告率 ,A SAQ略高于FT FI(P>0 0 5 ) ;问卷应答的逻辑一致性程度 ,FTFI明显高于A SAQ(χ2 =76 10 7,P<0 0 1)。三类调查对象喜欢听录音的比例 (6 0 1% )高于喜欢面访的比例 (10 1% )。结论 与FTFI比较 ,A SAQ未显著提高收集艾滋病敏感行为数据的可靠性 ,对于本研究所选择的三类人群 ,应考虑与FTFI结合使用。