Gabel P; Northern Territory Uni; Darwin Australia. cp.gabel@bigpond.com.

PURPOSE: Development of a Scale to evaluate symptoms and disabilities of the upper limb at a single or multiple points in time both quantitatively and qualitatively; and comparison of this scale to existing advocated standards, the Disabilities Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and the Upper Extremity Functional Scale (UEFS) SUBJECTS: The patients were from a sample of convenience from multiple centres across four Australian regions. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 214 sampled questionnaires were made from 144 separate patients. Subgroups were used for the pilot sample number estimates, test-retest and prospective analysis for responsiveness data. A direct head to head comparison was made with all questionnaires completed simultaneously. ANALYSES: Correlations or t-tests between the ULDQ and other measures were used to assess construct and criterion validity. Logic validity was determined through peer review and patient sample testing. Content validity was determined by Item Generation, reduction then field testing. Test-retest reliability was assessed using the intra-class correlation coefficient and other summary statistics. Responsiveness was described using Standardised Response Means (SRM), Effect Size (ES) and correlation between change in the scores. Internal consistency was determined with Cronbach’s Alpha. RESULTS: The ULDQ correlated with other measures (r>0.77). Test-retest reliability (ICC=0.957) and Chronbach alpha (0.889) exceeded guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: The ULDQ is statistically sound, with higher practical characteristics and range of disability determination without a tendency toward floor or ceiling effect and had statistically comparable methodological characteristics. These properties demonstrate the ULDQ as a viable SRM outcome tool, particularly for the daily clinical environment, and that as a part of a Total package can form an integral part of outcome determination for a diversity of patients and conditions. FUNDING SOURCE: Northern Territory University Fees scholarship and Post-Grad. Stipend.

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