Validation of the French version of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand questionnaire (F-DASH)

Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of the French version of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand-Disability/Symptom (F-DASH-D/S) scale in patients with shoulder disorders. Methods: We included 150 patients (98 women) with shoulder conditions intending to undergo medical and/or physical therapy at our institution. Parameters recorded were age, sex, disease duration, body mass index, pain scores at rest and during activities, and perceived disability on a visual analog scale (VAS, 0-100 mm). Subjective assessment of activities of daily living (ADL), active range of motion (ROM), and measurement of abduction strength (Strength) were assessed using the Constant scale. Internal consistency was evaluated with the Cronbach's alpha. Test-retest reliability was analyzed by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and the Bland and Altman method. Construct validity was investigated with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient, and a factor analysis was performed. Results: Internal consistency was high, with a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.96. The ICC value (0.95) suggested excellent test-retest reliability. Correlation of the F-DASH-D/S score with VAS score of disability (r = 0.78), ADL score (r = - 0.76), VAS score of pain during activities (r = 0.64), Strength score (r = - 0.63), ROM score (r = - 0.57), VAS score of pain at rest (r = 0.52), disease duration (r = 0.38), age (r = 0.28), and body mass index (r = 0.24) indicated good construct validity. Factor analysis identified five factors accounting for 66.5% of the total variance. Each factor could be easily clinically interpreted. Conclusion: The French version of the DASH-D/S scale is a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of disability in shoulder disorders. (C) 2007 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.