Electrodiagnosis and outcome prediction for persons with upper limb symptoms: A pilot study

In the evaluation of patients with upper limb symptoms, electrodiagnosis (EDX) provides valuable information regarding neurological disorders such as radiculopathies and entrapment neuropathies. What is less clear from the literature is whether or not EDX findings contribute to the prediction of outcomes.

In order to examine the relationship between EDX findings and outcomes, this pilot study was conducted.

Thirty-eight patients with neck and upper limb symptoms who underwent EDX testing and standardized data collection as part of a previously conducted prospective study were contacted by telephone a mean of 30 months after testing to determine their outcomes. Patients were classified into three categories according to EDX findings: i) 15 had radiculopathies, ii) 13 had normal studies, and iii) 10 had other electrodiagnostic findings. Primary outcome variables of interest were the interval verbal pain rating scale and a subjective report of symptom improvement.

None of the patients with radiculopathies or normal studies worsened, whereas 30% of persons with other findings on EDX significantly worsened.

The findings from this small pilot study raise many questions regarding electrodiagnosis and its relationship to outcome. A larger prospective study is necessary to fully examine this relatively unexplored but potential use for EDX testing.