To assess the criterion validity, repeatability, and the missing value protocol of the reduced Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) function scale ('reduced scale').
Three separate studies were performed: a cross-over study to compare the full- and reduced-scale scores in 66 UK patients for validity, a test-retest study for repeatability in 103 Australian patients, and a study for the missing value protocol of the reduced-scale questionnaire.
There was no significant difference between scores for the full- and reduced-scale questionnaires in both cross-over and test-retest studies. For the missing value protocol of the reduced-scale questionnaire, when 3 or more of the 7 items were missing, the patient's response was regarded as invalid and the sub-scale score was eliminated from further analysis; when 2 or fewer items were missing, the mean value of the sub-scale was substituted for the missing values.
The reduced-scale questionnaire retains excellent validity and repeatability. Its use is recommended along with the original pain dimension in studies of total joint replacement.