A Cross-Sectional Study of Musculoskeletal Health Literacy in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

Background: Approximately 33% of Americans have inadequate health literacy, which is associated with infrequent use of preventative services, increased hospitalization and use of emergency care, and worse control of chronic diseases. In this study, the Literacy in Musculoskeletal Problems (LiMP) questionnaire was used to evaluate the prevalence of limited musculoskeletal literacy in patients undergoing carpal tunnel release (CTR), as these individuals may be at increased risk of inferior outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study included individuals older than or equal to 18 years of age who were scheduled for elective CTR. Participants completed a demographic survey and the LiMP questionnaire during their preoperative office visit. The prevalence of limited health literacy was determined, with chi-square analysis used to determine the influence of demographic parameters. Results: The mean LiMP score was 6 ± 1.40. Limited musculoskeletal literacy was seen in 34% of participants (22/65). Analysis identified race (Caucasian), gender (female), higher education levels (≥college), current or prior employment in a health care field, and a prior physician visit for a non-carpal tunnel musculoskeletal complaint as being associated with higher literacy rates. Conclusions: Approximately one-third of patients scheduled for elective CTR have limited musculoskeletal literacy and may lack the necessary skills required for making informed decisions regarding their care. This is concerning, as CTR is performed in the United States on roughly 500 000 individuals annually, at an estimated cost of 2 billion dollars. The identification of those most at risk is thus crucial, and will facilitate the development of education campaigns and interventions geared toward those who are most vulnerable.

Health Literacy in Lower Limb Orthopedic Trauma Patients in Riyadh Saudi Arabia

“…In a study on the prevalence of musculoskeletal literacy, it was demonstrated that the prevalence of inadequate musculoskeletal literacy was 34% [2] . It was demonstrated that one-third of patients at two urban public hospitals had inadequate health literacy [31] .…”

“…Health literacy and knowledge became an area of research over the last decade [1] . Health literacy refers to the persons' abilities which allow the person to process, obtain and understand basic health information to make their health decisions [2] , these abilities can be improved by educational programs, however, it can be decreased with increasing age [3] .…”

Caregiver Literacy in a Pediatric Orthopedic Population: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In the United States, studies have estimated that between 33% and 48% of Americans possess inadequate general health literacy [6,7] . Populations identified at risk are those with less than a high school degree or GED certificate, those with low income levels, non-native English speakers, and those with compromised health status [10][11][12] .…”

“…To address this deficiency Rosenbaum et al created the Literacy in Musculoskeletal Problems (LiMP) survey, a validated nine-question instrument for measuring musculoskeletal health literacy in adults [17] . While this survey has been used extensively in adult orthopedics, there are few studies of musculoskeletal health literacy as it pertains to the care of pediatric orthopedic patients [11,12,17,18] . Caregiver decisions can have a significant impact on a child's health care outcomes and thus it is crucial to identify caregivers who possess limited musculoskeletal health literacy [19] .…”

CORR Insights®: Patients With Limited Health Literacy Have Similar Preferences but Different Perceptions in Shared Decision-making for Carpal Tunnel Release

“…They generally avoid using preventive services, tend to use emergency services more frequently, and perhaps as a result of all this, have a higher rate of preventable hospital admissions [3]. A recent study found that 34% of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (the most prevalent compressive neuropathy of the upper extremity) had limited health literacy [10]. Cultural barriers often coexist for patients with limited health literacy, which could be associated with selection bias [7,12].…”