title: Evaluation of construct and criterion validity for the 'Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs' (LOAD) clinical metrology instrument and comparison to two other instruments.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To test the 'Liverpool Osteoarthritis in Dogs' (LOAD) questionnaire for construct and criterion validity, and to similarly test the Helsinki Chronic Pain Index (HCPI) and the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective Study.
  
  
  METHODS
  222 dogs with osteoarthritis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Osteoarthritis was diagnosed in a cohort of dogs on the basis of clinical history and orthopedic examination. Force-platform analysis was performed and a "symmetry index" for peak vertical force (PVF) was calculated. Owners completed LOAD, CBPI and HCPI instruments. As a test of construct validity, inter-instrument correlations were calculated. As a test of criterion validity, the correlations between instrument scores and PVF symmetry scores were calculated. Additionally, internal consistency of all instruments was calculated and compared to those previously reported. Factor analysis is reported for the first time for LOAD, and is compared to that previously reported for CBPI and HCPI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant moderate correlations were found between all instruments, implying construct validity for all instruments. Significant weak correlations were found between LOAD scores and PVF symmetry index, and between CBPI scores and PVF symmetry index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LOAD is an owner-completed clinical metrology instrument that can be recommended for the measurement of canine osteoarthritis. It is convenient to use, validated and, as demonstrated here for the first time, has a correlation with force-platform data.
authors.affiliation: Department of Musculoskeletal Biology and School of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, Wirral, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Myles Benjamin
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.forename: Emily
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cowderoy
authors.forename: Duncan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lascelles
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Innes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004285:Dogs; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000662:veterinary*; D010146:Pain / Q000662:veterinary*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies