HAND-Q: A global normative data sample of 1373 participants

Introduction The HAND-Q is a condition-specific, patient-reported outcome measure assessing health-related quality of life and satisfaction in individuals with hand conditions. Normative data from a global healthy population would improve clinical and research interpretation. Therefore, we aimed to provide normative values for the four most important HAND-Q scales—appearance, function, life impact, and symptoms—capturing key physical and psychosocial aspects of hand health. Methods A web-based cross-sectional survey (August 1 to September 9, 2024) included healthy participants via the international Prolific platform and through convenience sampling, excluding individuals with hand conditions or trauma. Results A total of 1373 participants from 44 countries were included. Age (life impact p=0.002 and symptoms p=0.001), smoking status (appearance p=0.009, function p=0.007, and symptoms p<0.001), skin type (appearance p<0.001, life impact p=0.016, and symptoms p=0.002), and occupational factors showed significant associations with specific HAND-Q scales. Former smokers demonstrated incremental improvement in function (p=0.08) and life impact (p=0.018) scores with increasing time since cessation. No significant gender differences were observed. Conclusion This study provides the first normative data for the HAND-Q scales obtained from a global population of healthy individuals. These reference values enhance the interpretability of HAND-Q scores and support their use in clinical and research settings to inform treatment planning and evaluate and interpret patient-centered outcomes.