Clinico-radiological validation of the DASH questionnaire in patients operated for fracture of shaft of humerus.

ABSTRACT

Background: Fractures of the humeral shaft are commonly encountered in the emergency department and are treated conservatively or surgically. Quantification of the results forms an important part of the treatment protocol and scoring systems are one of the best ways for quantification without bias. The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is a questionnaire which is filled by the patient and is used to assess the results in the upper limb. Methods: Between October 2004 and December 2008, 68 patients with fracture of the shaft of the humerus were managed surgically in our institutions. Four were lost to follow up and the remaining 64 were assessed clinico-radiologically and by the DASH questionnaire. The results given by the two methods of assessment were then compared. Results: There were 30 excellent, 18 good, 11 fair and 5 poor results when assessed clinically and radiologically. There were 32 excellent, 18 good, 9 fair and 5 poor results when the same patients were assessed by the DASH questionnaire. Conclusion: The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire is an efficient instrument to quantify the results in fractures of the humerus.