title: The accuracy of assessing total hip arthroplasty outcomes: a prospective correlation study of walking ability and 2 validated measurement devices.
abstract: The Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the SF-36 are used to assess subjective outcome after total hip arthroplasty (THA). Although these indices have been validated, neither the WOMAC nor the SF-36 has been tested for accuracy against objective data in this clinical setting. Thirty osteoarthritic patients undergoing elective primary THA were subjectively evaluated preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively with the WOMAC and the SF-36 and objectively evaluated at the same interval with basic stride analysis and the 6-minute walk test. Correlation analysis of the subjective and objective data (both perioperative improvement and postoperative absolute scores) yielded Pearson coefficients of r = 0.50-0.81. This work demonstrates a sound statistical relationship between walking ability and the functional aspects of the WOMAC and the SF-36, supporting the use of these instruments in assessing the functional outcome after THA.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Mount Talbert Medical Office, Clackamas, Oregon 97015, USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Boardman
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Dorey
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Lieberman
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019644:Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; D005684:Gait; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D015207:Osteoarthritis, Hip / Q000601:surgery; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016138:Walking