title: Responsiveness of a Danish version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This prospective cohort study in consecutive shoulder patients sought to determine the minimal, clinically important difference of the Danish version of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire and to evaluate patient responsiveness to it. The study was undertaken at the Outpatient Clinic of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Viborg Regional Hospital, Denmark.
  
  
  METHODS
  During clinical examination, patients completed a baseline questionnaire including the DASH questionnaire, the EuroQol-5D index and the EuroQol-VAS. A follow-up questionnaire concerning the patient's global impression of change was posted to the patients eight to nine weeks after the initial assessment. Responsiveness was analysed by correlation analysis and receiver-operating characteristic curve statistics. Using the optimal cut-off point of the receiver-operating characteristic curve, the minimal, clinically important difference was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 81 patients with a variety of shoulder diagnoses were included. Only the DASH questionnaire demonstrated significant differences in change scores (p = 0.001). The area under the curve was 0.76 (95% confidence interval 0.62-0.90), and a minimal clinically important difference of 12 points was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The DASH questionnaire provides a response outcome measure in Danish-speaking orthopaedic shoulder patients.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  This work was supported by the Regional Hospital of Central Jutland Research Foundation.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: Fysioterapien, Regionshospitalet Viborg, Heibergs Allé 4, 8800 Viborg, Denmark. camilla.lundquist@viborg.rm.dk.
authors.forename: Camilla B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Lundquist
authors.forename: Kaj
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Døssing
authors.forename: David H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Christiansen
mesh_terms: D003718:Denmark; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D007592:Joint Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D009140:Musculoskeletal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012372:ROC Curve; D012785:Shoulder Joint; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires