Age-related Changes in Patients with Upper Limb Thalidomide Embryopathy in the United Kingdom

Overview

Journal J Hand Surg Eur Vol

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialties Emergency Medicine
General Surgery

Date 2023 Apr 6

PMID 37021538

Authors

Magdalena Markiewicz

Paul Stirling

Susan Brennan

Geoffrey Hooper

Wee Lam

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

We report the long-term upper limb disability, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), functional impairment, self-perception of appearance and prevalence of neuropathic pain in patients with upper limb thalidomide embryopathy in the United Kingdom. One-hundred and twenty-seven patients responded to our electronic questionnaire. Mean Quick Version of the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand score was 54.3 (SD 22.6). Median EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Likert index, Work and Social Adjustment Scale, Derriford Appearance Scale 24 and Neuropathic Pain Scale were 0.6 (IQR 0.4 to 0.7), 15.5 (IQR 8.0 to 23.5), 35.5 (IQR 28.0 to 50.5), and -0.8 (IQR -1.4 to 0.8), respectively. Thirty-three patients (26%) reported neuropathic pain. Finger changes associated with radial longitudinal deficiency were an independent predictor of more severe upper limb disability. Eighty-nine patients (70%) reported deteriorating HRQoL with increasing age. Patients with upper limb thalidomide embryopathy experience age-related worsening of symptoms and function, highlighting the need for ongoing specialist care and support. IV.

Citing Articles

Thalidomide upper limb embryopathy - pathogenesis, past and present management and future considerations.

Vargesson N, Hooper G, Giddins G, Hunter A, Stirling P, Lam W J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2023; 48(8):699-709.

PMID: 37226469 PMC: 10466950. DOI: 10.1177/17531934231177425.

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