The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) vs. the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH)ROs

A recent study evaluated the validity and reliability of the NIH Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) instrument applied through computerized adaptive testing (CAT). Results were then compared to those with the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. According to the study, the PROMIS PF CAT tool is effective in measuring function in patients with elbow disorders and requires fewer questions than the DASH.

The DASH has 30 questions, and each patient is asked each question, taking as much as 5 minutes for patients to complete. Adaptive testing (CAT) allows PROMIS PF to draw from a bank of 124 items, but average only 6-7 questions per patient, as non-applicable or less-useful questions are left out, increasing the flexibility of data collection while reducing the time burden on patients to complete it.

DADOS has recently integrated CAT-based PROMIS, providing clinicians and researchers with a simple point-and-click solution that can be set up quickly.  There are over 50 PROMIS CATs available within the platform including questionnaires to measure depression, anxiety, fatigue, physical function, pain, sleep, and social functioning.