OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to compare self-report and interview administration methods using the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire (DASH) in patients with rotator cuff disorders. METHODS: Thirty male and female patients over 18 years of age with rotator cuff disorders (tendinopathy or rotator cuff tear) and Brazilian Portuguese as their primary language were recruited for assessment via administration of the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index and and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire. A randomization method was used to determine whether the questionnaires would be self-reported (n=15) or administered by an interviewer (n=15). Pearson correlation coefficients were used to evaluate the correlation between the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index and and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire in each group. The t-test was used to determine whether the difference in mean questionnaire scores and administration time was statistically significant. For statistical analysis, the level of significance was set at 5%. RESULTS: The mean subject age was 55.07 years, ranging from 27 to 74 years. Most patients had a diagnosis of tendinopathy (n=21). With regard to level of schooling, the majority (n=26) of subjects had completed a college degree or higher. The mean questionnaire scores and administration times did not significantly differ between the two groups (p>0.05). There were statistically significant correlations (p<0.05) between Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index and and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire, and strong correlations were found between the questionnaires in both groups. CONCLUSION: There are no differences between the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Questionnaire administration methods with regard to administration time or correlations between the questionnaires.

A busca do conhecimento científico cada vez mais tem sido norteada por orientações metodológicas que têm por objetivo fornecer diretrizes para a execução e posterior análise dos resultados obtidos. A padronização desta metodologia está sendo cada vez mais discutida e avaliada, contribuindo para a melhora da qualidade dos estudos publicados. Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar essas diretrizes, sugeridas por grupos internacionais para autores e editores que orientam a avaliação critica de ensaios clínicos controlados e randomizados.

The search for scientific knowledge has been more and more guided by methodological principles whose objective is to provide guidelines for the execution and later analysis of the results achieved. The standardization of this method is being more and more debated and evaluated, thus contributing to improved quality of published trials. The purpose of this article is to present the guidelines suggested by international groups to authors and publishers who critically evaluate controlled and randomized clinical trials.

Medidas de qualidade de vida e estado de saúde têm sido enfatizados pela comunidade ortopédica por possibilitarem a análise da situação de saúde e as manifestações da doença na vida do indivíduo em sua própria perspectiva. Estudos têm analisado criteriosamente os instrumentos disponíveis e publicado recomendações direcionando a escolha dos mais adequados para o uso. O presente estudo fornece descrição breve dos tipos de instrumentos, suas aplicabilidades, o processo de validação, os instrumentos mais comumente utilizados na literatura internacional e aqueles disponíveis para uso no Brasil.

Measurements of quality of life and health status have been emphasized by the orthopedic community because they allow for an analysis of the health status and disease manifestations according to the own point of view of the individual. Studies have carefully analyzed the tools available and published recommendations for the most adequate choice of such tools. This study provides a brief description of the types of instruments, their application, their validation procedure, the instruments that are more commonly seen in the international literature, and those available for use in Brazil.