The Effect of Socioeconomic Disparity on Improvement in QuickDASH at 3 Months after Carpal Tunnel Release

The primary objective of this study was to determine the association between socioeconomic disparity and improvement in QuickDASH score 3 months after carpal tunnel release (CTR). The secondary objectives of this study were to determine the association between socioeconomic disparity and baseline preoperative QuickDASH score and 3 months postoperative QuickDASH score after CTR.

A single-institutional, prospective, longitudinal study was performed of 85 patients who underwent isolated, unilateral CTR for idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Sixty-three patients (74%) who completed patient-reported outcome measures at 3 months after surgery comprised our study cohort. Socioeconomic disparity was assessed using the zip code level Distressed Communities Index (DCI) and the neighborhood level Area Deprivation Index. The outcome variables were the improvement in the QuickDASH score, 3 months postoperative QuickDASH score, and the preoperative QuickDASH score. Associations between continuous variables were assessed using simple linear regression.

The mean DCI of the study cohort was in the 23rd national percentile, and the mean Area Deprivation Index was in the 15th national percentile. The mean preoperative QuickDASH of the study cohort was 49.3. The mean 3 months postoperative QuickDASH of the study cohort was 29.8. The mean improvement in QuickDASH at 3 months after surgery was 19.5, which was statistically significant and clinically meaningful. Area Deprivation Index and DCI were not associated with improvement in QuickDASH score or 3 months postoperative QuickDASH score. Higher DCI was associated with poorer baseline preoperative QuickDASH score.

Patients of various socioeconomic backgrounds can expect similar short-term improvements in symptoms and function after CTR.