title: Assessing physical function in adult acquired major upper-limb amputees by combining the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Questionnaire and clinical examination.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe physical function in adult acquired major upper-limb amputees (ULAs) by combining self-assessed arm function and physical measures obtained by clinical examinations; to estimate associations between background factors and self-assessed arm function in ULAs; and to assess whether clinical examination findings may be used to detect reduced arm function in unilateral ULAs.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  postal questionnaires and clinical examinations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Norwegian ULA population. Clinical examinations performed at 3 clinics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires: population-based sample (n=224; 57.4% response rate). Clinical examinations: combined referred sample and convenience sample of questionnaire responders (n=70; 83.3% of those invited). SURVEY inclusion criteria: adult acquired major upper-limb amputation, resident in Norway, mastering of spoken and written Norwegian.
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) Outcome Questionnaire, and clinical examination of joint motion and muscle strength with and without prostheses.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean DASH score was 22.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 20.3-25.0); in bilateral amputees, 35.7 (95% CI, 23.0-48.4); and in unilateral amputees, 22.1 (95% CI, 19.8-24.5). A lower unilateral DASH score (better function) was associated with paid employment (vs not in paid employment: adjusted regression coefficient [aB]=-5.40, P=.033; vs students: aB=-13.88, P=.022), increasing postamputation time (aB=-.27, P=.001), and Norwegian ethnicity (aB=-14.45, P<.001). At clinical examination, we found a high frequency of impaired neck mobility and varying frequencies of impaired joint motion and strength at the shoulder, elbow, and forearm level. Prosthesis wear was associated with impaired joint motion in all upper-limb joints (P<.006) and with reduced shoulder abduction strength (P=.002). Impaired without-prosthesis joint motion in shoulder flexion (ipsilateral: aB=12.19, P=.001) and shoulder abduction (ipsilateral: aB=12.01, P=.005; contralateral: aB=28.82, P=.004) was associated with increased DASH scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Upper-limb loss clearly affects physical function. DASH score limitation profiles may be useful in individual clinical assessments. Targeted clinical examination may indicate patients with extra rehabilitational needs. Such examinations may be of special importance in relation to prosthesis function.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Ottestad. kristin.ostlie@sykehuset-innlandet.no
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ostlie
authors.forename: Rosemary J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Franklin
authors.forename: Ola H
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Skjeldal
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Skrondal
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magnus
mesh_terms: D000674:Amputees / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001132:Arm / Q000601:surgery*; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway; D011594:Psychometrics; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012307:Risk Factors; D012782:Shoulder / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires