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Population-based normative values for the Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) Osteoarthritis Index: part I
Nicholas Bellamy1, Cecilia Wilson, Joan Hendrikz
1Centre of National Research on Disability and Rehabilitation Medicine (CONROD), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. n.bellamy@uq.edu.au
Objectives:
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.
