The influence of dominant limb involvement on DASH and QuickDASH.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to determine whether involvement of the dominant limb affects Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores.


METHODS
A convenience sample of 948 patients from 12 prospective studies that recorded hand dominance, affected side, diagnosis, and a DASH or QuickDASH score was used to assess the influence of involvement of the dominant limb on DASH scores. Diagnosis was categorized as traumatic and nontraumatic. Region was categorized as hand and wrist, elbow, and arm and shoulder.


RESULTS
In bivariate analysis, involvement of the dominant limb, diagnosis, region, and sex had significant influence on DASH/QuickDASH score. In multivariable analysis, dominant hand condition, traumatic diagnosis, arm and shoulder involvement, and female sex were associated with significantly higher DASH scores (more disability), but accounted for only 10 % of the variability in scores.


CONCLUSIONS
Upper extremity disability as measured by the DASH is slightly, but significantly greater when the dominant limb is involved.


METHODS
Prognostic level II.
Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Yawkey Center, 55 Fruit Street, Suite 2100, Boston, MA 02114 USA ; Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Amir Reza
AR
Kachooei
Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Yawkey Center, 55 Fruit Street, Suite 2100, Boston, MA 02114 USA ; Orthopedic Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
Ali
A
Moradi
Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Yawkey Center, 55 Fruit Street, Suite 2100, Boston, MA 02114 USA.
Stein Jasper
SJ
Janssen
Orthopaedic Hand and Upper Extremity Service, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Yawkey Center, 55 Fruit Street, Suite 2100, Boston, MA 02114 USA.
David
D
Ring
DASH; Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand; Dominant affected; Hand dominance; QuickDASH