Measurement Properties of the Brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire in Patients With Dupuytren Contracture

Purpose The brief Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (briefMHQ) was developed as a shorter version of the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire (MHQ), but its measurement properties have not been investigated in patients with Dupuytren contracture. The objective of the study was to investigate the reliability, validity, responsiveness, and interpretability of the briefMHQ. Methods Fifty-seven patients diagnosed with Dupuytren contracture completed the briefMHQ as well as the full-length MHQ and Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire at baseline. Two to 14 days after baseline and 1 year after collagenase injection or surgery, patients again filled out the briefMHQ. Reliability was determined using the intraclass correlation coefficient and by calculating internal consistency (Cronbach alpha). Validity was tested by quantifying correlations with the full-length MHQ and QuickDASH. Responsiveness, based on the standardized response mean and the minimally clinically important change, was also determined. Results The briefMHQ had an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.87, Cronbach alpha of 0.88, and correlations of r = 0.88 and – 0.82 with the original MHQ and QuickDASH, respectively. The standardized response mean was 0.9 and the minimally clinically important change was 7 points. Conclusions Overall, the briefMHQ demonstrates excellent reliability, good validity, and high responsiveness in patients with Dupuytren contracture. Clinical relevance The briefMHQ is an accurate and time-saving tool to evaluate patients with Dupuytren contracture and the effect of a corresponding treatment.