A comparison of upper limb amputees and patients with upper limb injuries using the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH).
OBJECTIVE
To use the Disability of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scale to measure the disability of patients with upper limb amputation(s) and to compare these to other upper limb injuries.


METHODS
All 274 patients over the age of 18 years presenting to Prince Henry Hospital in Sydney over a 4-year time frame were given the DASH assessment tool and asked to complete it under supervision of the Occupational Therapist.


RESULTS
Patients with brachial plexus injuries, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome and bilateral upper limb amputations demonstrated significantly higher levels of disability to patients with unilateral upper limb amputations. Partial hand amputees reported a higher level of disability than major unilateral upper limb amputees. For the 48 patients who completed pre- and post-treatment assessments, there was a significant improvement in their health status.


CONCLUSIONS
Further research is required to understand the factors that affect a patient's perceptions of their disability. Perhaps the definitive nature of an amputation and the immediate involvement of highly skilled health professionals serve to assist patients to accept their injury and therefore minimizes the level of disability.
Davidson
Judith
J
Occupational Therapist & Hand Therapist, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia. judyd@accsoft.com.au
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001315:Australia; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009788:Occupational Therapy / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011336:Probability; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D034941:Upper Extremity