Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (dash) Questionnaire: determining functional activity profiles in patients with upper extremity disorders

Abstract

The Disability of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a standardized measure which captures the patients’ own perspective of their upper extremity health status. Based on the scores of the DASH modules: symptoms, function and sport, this follow-up study of 590 hand-injured subjects from 11 diagnostic groups evaluated impairments and disabilities perceived 2 to 5 years postoperatively. Secondly, we explored the relationships between the diagnostic groups at the individual DASH item level. Exploratory testing of statistical significance showed that the DASH modules differentiated well among the groups (ANOVA P-value 0.001) and further differences existed at the item level, so that functional activity problem profiles could be developed for each diagnostic group. Our findings confirm that the DASH is a useful instrument for outcome evaluation. Moreover, in view of the continuing challenge to provide comprehensive care which meets patients’ needs in the shortest space of time, we consider that DASH has potential in the development of patient-centred treatment programmes which are tailored to the individual patients’ requirements and have relevance to their daily activities.