A clinically weighted approach to outcome assessment in radial polydactyly

Abstract

Currently available outcome assessment systems for radial polydactyly are mainly based on expert opinion. The aim of this study was to develop an outcome assessment system based on clinical data. We performed linear regression analysis on data from a multicentre study of 121 patients with radial polydactyly types II, IV and VII to develop a clinically weighted outcome assessment system. Items were weighted according to their influence on overall functional and aesthetic outcome in the regression analysis. Active flexion, scar appearance and prominence at amputation site were the main items influencing overall functional and aesthetic outcome (β = 0.393, β = 0.326 and β = 0.288, respectively). Palmar abduction, metacarpophalangeal joint deviation and nail appearance influenced overall functional and aesthetic outcome the least (β = −0.002, β = −0.104 and β = 0.070, respectively). Our proposed assessment system for radial polydactyly reflects the way clinicians value individual aspects of outcome as determinants of overall outcome and helps guide future treatment and evaluation of outcome. Level of evidence: III.