[Validation of the EK functional motor scale in the Portuguese language].
OBJECTIVE
To validate a Portuguese version of the EK scale (Egen Klassifikation), that was developed in Denmark for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, and spinal muscular atrophy.


METHODS
An English version of the EK scale was translated into the Portuguese language as spoken in Brazil. This scale was applied to 26 male patients (mean age = 12.7 +/- 4.0 years) with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Patients also answered questions of a Portuguese version of the Barthel index questionnaire, and had their right and left hand grip forces measured with a dynamometer.


RESULTS
The mean total EK scale score was 8.1 +/- 7.3 and the Barthel index 54.0 +/- 26.2. The mean hand grip force was 12.7 +/- 17.2 % predicted for the right hand, and 14.6 +/- 19.8 % predicted for the left hand. The EK scale scores showed highly significant statistical correlations with age (r= 0.596, p= 0.0013), right hand grip force (r= -0.556, p= 0.0032), left hand grip force (r= -0.623, p=0.0007), and Barthel index (r= -0.928, p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
This translated Portuguese version of the EK scale is an adequate tool to be used for Brazilian Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients.
Martinez
José Antônio Baddini
JA
Departamento de Neurologia, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto da Universidade de São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP. jabmarti@fmrp.usp.br
Brunherotti
Marisa Afonso
MA
de Assis
Marcos Renato
MR
Sobreira
Claudia Ferreira da Rosa
CF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology*; D009134:Muscular Atrophy, Spinal / Q000503:physiopathology*; D020388:Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D014175:Translating