Lysholm scale and WOMAC index were responsive in prospective cohort of young general practice patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the construct validity and responsiveness of the Lysholm knee scoring scale and the WOMAC osteoarthritis index in adolescents and young adults with knee complaints in general practice.


METHODS
In the framework of a prospective cohort study with 1-year follow-up, we included 314 patients aged 12-35 years consulting the general practitioner for incident knee complaints. Subgroup analyses of traumatic and nontraumatic knee complaints and of adolescents and adults were performed.


RESULTS
Construct validity was adequate for both questionnaires both in traumatic and nontraumatic patients (aged 12-35) and in adolescents (12-17) and young adults (18-35). Effect size (ES) and standardized response mean (SRM) for both Lysholm and WOMAC global scores were moderate in nontraumatic patients and high in traumatic patients. Guyatt's responsiveness statistic was high in both subpopulations. Adolescents showed high responsiveness with all measures on the Lysholm scale, and moderate (Guyatt's statistic) to high responsiveness (ES and SRM) on the WOMAC index. Young adults showed high responsiveness with all measures on both instruments.


CONCLUSIONS
Although neither of the scales was developed for use in adolescents and young adults in general practice, both scales show adequate responsiveness, content, and construct validity in this population.
Heintjes
E M
EM
Erasmus MC, Department of General Practice, P.O. Box 1738, 3000DR Rotterdam, The Netherlands. edith.heintjes@pharmo.nl
Bierma-Zeinstra
S M A
SM
Berger
M Y
MY
Koes
B W
BW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011379:Prognosis; D011594:Psychometrics; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices