DASH work module in workers with hand-arm vibration syndrome

The Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand work module (DASH-W) questionnaire has not previously been described in relation to hand-arm vibration syndrome (HAVS).

To measure work-related disability in workers with HAVS using the DASH-W questionnaire and to determine how the various components of HAVS affect the DASH-W score.

Workers with HAVS from a variety of industries were assessed over a 2-year period at the occupational health clinic, St Michael's Hospital, Toronto. Subjects completed the DASH-W questionnaire and were assessed by an occupational physician to determine their Stockholm sensorineural and vascular stages and upper extremity pain score measured by the Borg scale, as an indication of musculoskeletal problems associated with HAVS. The average DASH-W score was compared with the average value for the US population. Multiple linear regression was used to determine the contribution of the various components of HAVS to the DASH-W score.

There were 139 (134 men and 5 women) participants. The subjects with HAVS had a mean DASH-W score of 54.7 (95% CI: 50.3-59.1), which was considerably higher than the average for the US population (P < 0.001). Statistically significant HAVS variables in the multiple linear regression included the Stockholm sensorineural stage (P < 0.05) and the upper extremity pain score (P < 0.001) with the pain score having the highest partial R (2) value.

Workers with HAVS reported significant upper extremity work-related disability as measured by the DASH-W questionnaire, and the upper extremity pain score made the largest contribution to the DASH-W scores in these subjects.