The Influence of Health Perception on Shoulder Outcome Measure Scores.

Background: Patient reported outcome measures assess clinical progress from the patient's perspective. This study explored the relationship between shoulder outcome measures (The Disability of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [DASH], American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standard Shoulder Assessment score [ASES], and Constant score) by comparing the best possible scores obtained in an asymptomatic population compared to overall perception of health, as measured by the SF-36 outcome measure.

Methods: Volunteers (age range, 20-69 years) with asymptomatic shoulders and no history of shoulder pain, injury, surgery, imaging, or pathology (bilaterally) were included.