Quick Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH)

Clinical intent

The QuickDASH is a shortened version of the DASH Outcome Measure [1]. Instead of 30 items, the QuickDASH uses 11 items to measure physical function and symptoms in persons with any or multiple musculoskeletal disorders of the upper limb. Like the DASH, the QuickDASH also has two four-item optional modules that are scored separately.

The disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire is an upper-extremity specific outcome measure that was introduced by the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons in collaboration with a number of other organizations [2]. One of the main concepts behind developing the DASH was to facilitate comparisons among different upper-extremity conditions in terms of health burden [2]. The reason for using one outcome measure for different upper extremity disorders is that the upper extremity is a functional unit [3]. The QuickDASH and Dash are available in several languages under http://www.dash.iwh.on.ca

Clinical interpretation

A higher score indicates greater disability.

References

[1] Beaton DE, Wright JG, Katz JN; Upper Extremity Collaborative Group. Development of the QuickDASH: comparison of three item-reduction approaches. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2005;87(5):1038-1046. doi:10.2106/JBJS.D.02060
[2] Hudak PL, Amadio PC, Bombardier C. Development of an upper extremity outcome measure: the DASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand) [corrected]. The Upper Extremity Collaborative Group (UECG) [published correction appears in Am J Ind Med 1996 Sep;30(3):372]. Am J Ind Med. 1996;29(6):602-608. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-0274(199606)29:6<602::AID-AJIM4>3.0.CO;2-L
[3] Davis AM, Beaton DE, Hudak P, et al. Measuring disability of the upper extremity: a rationale supporting the use of a regional outcome measure. J Hand Ther. 1999;12(4):269-274. doi:10.1016/s0894-1130(99)80063-5