A screening version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI-S).
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to develop a screening version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI).


METHODS
Three separate prospective investigations are reported that assess: 1) the equivalency of the screening version of DHI (DHI-S) for the DHI; 2) the test-retest reliability of the DHI-S; and 3) whether abnormal performance on balance function testing is associated with greater scores on the DHI-S.


METHODS
The investigation was conducted in the Balance Function Laboratory of the Division of Audiology at Henry Ford Hospital, which is a tertiary care setting.


METHODS
There were 281 consecutive patients (for investigations 1 and 2) and 45 consecutive patients (for investigation 3) seen for balance function testing.


METHODS
There was a 1-week interval between test and retest administrations of the DHI-S.


METHODS
Comparability of the DHI-S for the DHI and the test-retest reliability of the DHI-S were assessed with a Pearson Product-Moment correlation coefficient. Scores on the DHI-S for patients with and without abnormal balance function tests were assessed with an analysis of variance.


RESULTS
Results showed that scores on the DHI-S had high comparability for the total score on the DHI (r=0.86). The short-term, test-retest reliability for the DHI was high (r=0.95). Abnormal performance on the sensory organization subtest of computerized dynamic posturography was associated with significantly greater scores on the DHI-S.


CONCLUSIONS
Results support the contention that DHI-S is a psychometrically robust screening measure of self-perceived dizziness disability-handicap.
Jacobson
G P
GP
Division of Audiology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
Calder
J H
JH
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards*