Population-based normative values for the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index and the Australian/Canadian (AUSCAN) hand osteoarthritis index functional subscales.
OBJECTIVE
To develop age- and gender-specific normative values for the physical function subscales of the WOMAC and AUSCAN Indices.


METHODS
A scannable survey questionnaire capable of capturing WOMAC and AUSCAN Index and demographic information was developed, pre-tested, and distributed to a stratified random sample of 24,000 members of the Australian general public generated by the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC).


RESULTS
Age- and gender-specific WOMAC and AUSCAN normative values were estimated based on approximately 5,500 subjects. Age-related differences were noted at the subscale level. In general, disability increased with age for all items and both Indices.


CONCLUSIONS
Normative values provide opportunity for benchmarking the health status of individuals against their age- and gender-matched peers in the general population. These normative values provide unique opportunities, for using the WOMAC and AUSCAN Indices in benchmarking applications, in both clinical practice and research.
Bellamy
Nicholas
N
Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine, Level 1, Mayne Medical School, The University of Queensland, Herston Rd, Brisbane, QLD 4055, Australia. n.bellamy@uq.edu.au
Wilson
C
C
Hendrikz
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000592:standards; D044382:Population Groups; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000592:standards