[DASH data of non-clinical versus clinical groups of persons--a comparative study of T-norms for clinical use].

AIM

The aim of this study was to determine a) data for the disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score of a non-clinical group as well as to establish b) a comparison of DASH data between different groups of people.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

After collection of 716 DASH questionnaires from healthy, working individuals (non-clinical sample) and 795 questionnaires from patients with injuries and conditions of the upper extremity (clinical sample), the data were assessed according to age, gender, manually or non-manually working into DASH total, DASH activity, DASH impairment, DASH music/sport and DASH work scores. In order to establish a comparability, these data were transformed using T-norms.

RESULTS

Median DASH data of the non-clinical sample showed a functional impairment, since they deviated from 0. Men, aged 50-65, who were working manually showed the highest DASH score. Age did not have a significant effect on the DASH score of the clinical sample. The median overall DASH score of the clinical sample was higher than the scores seen with the non-clinical sample.

CONCLUSION

Using T-norms a reference framework has been established for DASH scores, thus making it possible to interpret and compare individual scores between patients.