Faculty Collaboration Database

Psychometric assessment of patients with chronic upper extremity pain attributed to workplace exposure. J Hand Surg Am 1999 Jan;24(1):46-52

Date

02/27/1999

Pubmed ID

10048515

DOI

10.1053/jhsu.1999.jhsu24a0046

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0033035237 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   8 Citations

Abstract

Upper extremity pain attributed to workplace exposure is a growing concern in medicine today. This study was undertaken to investigate the psychological findings in patients with chronic upper extremity pain attributed to workplace exposure. Sixty-three consecutive patients were evaluated. All patients underwent a history and physical examination by a hand surgeon and a psychological evaluation by a licensed psychologist, including a Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2). Physical and psychological findings were then compared. Forty-one patients (65%) showed abnormalities on MMPI-2 examination (t score > 70 = 97% confidence). This result is far above what generally would be expected in medical patients. When physical findings were grouped with psychological findings, 5 distinct groups were identified: 1 patient had normal physical and psychological results, 6 patients had normal physical findings but abnormal psychological assessments, 21 patients had abnormal physical findings but normal psychological assessments, 28 patients had both abnormal physical and psychological findings, and 7 patients had abnormal physical results but invalid MMPI-2 evaluations due to purposeful attempts to deny psychological symptoms. Identification of these groups may have diagnostic, prognostic, and treatment value. In addition, identification of these groups may help clarify several aspects of the debate over the role of psychosocial factors in the development and maintenance of chronic upper extremity pain that patients attribute to workplace exposure.

Author List

Dzwierzynski WW, Grunert BK, Rusch MD, Zader G, Keller D

Authors

William W. Dzwierzynski MD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Brad K. Grunert PhD Professor in the Plastic Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Arm
Chronic Disease
Cumulative Trauma Disorders
Female
Humans
MMPI
Male
Nerve Compression Syndromes
Occupational Diseases
Pain
Personality
Physical Examination
Psychophysiologic Disorders
Tendinopathy