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


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.


CONCLUSIONS
Using T-norms a reference framework has been established for DASH scores, thus making it possible to interpret and compare individual scores between patients.
Jester
A
A
BG-Unfallklinik Ludwigshafen, Klinik für Hand, Plastische und Rekonstruktive Chirurgie, Schwerbrandverletztenzentrum Hand und Plastische Chirurgie der Universität Heidelberg, Ludwigshafen. Andrea.Jester@urz.uni-heidelberg.de
Harth
A
A
Rauch
J
J
Germann
G
G
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011594:Psychometrics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012016:Reference Values; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012782:Shoulder; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires