Health and Quality of Life Outcomes (Dec 2018)

Responsiveness and minimal important change for the quick-DASH in patients with shoulder disorders

  • Cecilie Rud Budtz,
  • Johan Hviid Andersen,
  • Nils-Bo de Vos Andersen,
  • David Høyrup Christiansen

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-018-1052-2
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 1
pp. 1 – 6

Abstract

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Abstract Background Responsiveness and minimal important change (MIC) are central measurement properties when interpreting scores from health questionnaires. The aim of the study was to evaluate the responsiveness and MIC of the Danish version of the shortened version the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (Quick-DASH) in patients with shoulder disorders referred to primary care physiotherapy treatment. Methods The study included 261 patients who completed questionnaires at baseline and 3 and 6 months follow up. Absolute and relative change scores was analysed using receiver-operating-characteristics (ROC) curve analysis with the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) as external anchor. Results At both 3 and 6 months follow up, the Area under the Curve (ROC AUC) exceeded 0.70 and MIC was 9.1 and 13.6 at 3 and 6 months respectively. Conclusion The Danish version of the Quick-DASH demonstrated adequate ability to measure changes in disability over 3 and 6 months in patients with shoulder disorders undergoing primary care physiotherapy treatment.

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