Normative values of the DASH questionnaire in healthy individuals over 50 years of age

Abstract

This study aimed to define the normative values of the DASH score in healthy individuals over 50 years of age. One hundred and twenty subjects equally representing both genders and six age categories (50−54, 55−59, 60−64, 65−69, 70−74 and 75−80 years), with no past medical history affecting the upper limb, were asked to complete the DASH questionnaire. A visual analogue scale for pain and an HAQ-DI questionnaire were also completed to confirm the absence of symptomatic untreated upper limb pathologies. In this series of a priori normal subjects, most had a DASH score greater than 0. Moreover, the DASH score was found to rise with age, with a statistically significant difference between women and men. The DASH questionnaire is widely accepted in the everyday medical practice as a tool to evaluate upper limb function. However, age adjustment of the DASH questionnaire is necessary to correctly evaluate the clinical status and progression of individuals over the age of 50.