Evaluation of the Merz Hand Grading Scale After Calcium Hydroxylapatite Hand Treatment

BACKGROUND Measurement scales that quickly and rigorously evaluate the effectiveness of filler treatment in hands are important tools in clinical practice. The Merz Hand Grading Scale (MHGS) is used to grade the appearance of the dorsal hand. The MHGS has been validated for photographic and live assessment of the hands. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the sensitivity of the 5-point MHGS to detect clinically meaningful and aesthetically pleasing changes in hand appearance after treatment with a calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA)-based dermal filler. METHODS The controlled 4-week study randomized 30 subjects (60 hands) 2:1 to a Treatment group (treatment at enrollment) or a Control group (treatment at end of study). Effectiveness was evaluated with live MHGS ratings and photographic assessments with the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS). RESULTS At Week 4, all Treatment group subjects (20/20) achieved a >= 1-point improvement on the MHGS compared with 0/10 (0%) of the Control group (p < .0001). Subjects and treating physicians rated 92.5% (37/40) and 100% (40/40), respectively, of hands as at least improved, using the GAIS. CONCLUSION The MHGS is an appropriate and validated tool that clinicians can use to counsel patients and evaluate clinically meaningful and aesthetically pleasing changes after hand treatment with CaHA.