title: Population-based normative values for the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index: part I.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop population-based age- and gender-specific normative values for the pain, stiffness, and physical function subscales of the WOMAC Index for benchmarking applications.
  
  
  METHODS
  A scannable survey questionnaire capable of capturing WOMAC Index data and demographic information was developed, pretested, and distributed to a stratified random sample of 36,000 members of the Australian general public generated by the Australian Electoral Commission.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Age- and gender-specific WOMAC normative values were estimated based on approximately 7300 subjects. Age-related differences were noted in all 3 WOMAC subscales. In general, pain, stiffness, and difficulty with physical function percentiles increased with age.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  WOMAC normative values provide opportunity for benchmarking the health status of individuals with hip and knee osteoarthritis against their age- and gender-matched peers in the general population. These normative values provide unique opportunities for using the WOMAC Index in benchmarking applications in both clinical practice and research.
authors.affiliation: Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine (CONROD), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. n.bellamy@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bellamy
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hendrikz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010146:Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012016:Reference Values; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires