Validation of Duruöz Hand Index in patients with tetraplegia

Study designCross-sectional, clinical measurement.PurposeTo investigate the validity of the Duruöz Hand Index (DHI) in the assessment of hand function in patients with tetraplegia.MethodsA total of 40 patients with tetraplegia participated. Patients' upper extremities were assessed on the level of ‘body function and structure’ [The American Spinal Cord Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS) 2000 revised criteria, upper extremity motor score (UEMS), neurologic level of injury and visual analogue scale of hand function (VAS-HF)], ‘activity’ [DHI and Quadriplegia index of function-short form (QIF-SF)] and ‘body function and structure, activity and participation’ [Health Survey Short Form-36 (SF-36)] according to International Classification of Function.ResultsThe DHI showed significant correlations with UEMS, AIS, QIF-SF, VAS-HF, physical functioning and physical compound summary scores of SF-36.ConclusionsThe DHI was found a valid method in the assessment of hand functions in patients with tetraplegia.Level of evidenceDiagnostic III.