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The Canine Orthopedic Index. Step 2: Psychometric testing.
1Veterinary Clinical Investigations Center University of Pennsylvania, School of Veterinary Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Veterinary Surgery : VS
|February 12, 2014
Summary
The Canine Orthopedic Index (COI) is a reliable tool for assessing stiffness, gait, function, and quality of life in dogs with osteoarthritis. This owner-completed questionnaire provides psychometrically sound outcome measures for canine orthopedic disease.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Canine Health
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Osteoarthritis (OA) significantly impacts canine quality of life.
- Objective outcome measures are crucial for evaluating treatment efficacy in dogs with orthopedic conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To psychometrically test the Canine Orthopedic Index (COI), an owner-administered questionnaire for assessing orthopedic outcomes in dogs.
- To establish the reliability and validity of the COI for evaluating canine OA.
Main Methods:
- Standardized methodology for instrument development and testing was employed.
- Items were pretested for clarity and relevance, with poorly performing items removed.
- Factor analysis, reliability (Cronbach's α, κ values), and validity testing were conducted on owner responses from 80 dogs with OA.
Main Results:
- Four key factors were identified: Stiffness, Gait, Function, and Quality of Life.
- Cronbach's α values (0.76–0.86) indicated high internal consistency for each factor.
- Test-retest reliability (κ values 0.68–0.80) and moderate correlations between factor scores were observed.
Conclusions:
- The Canine Orthopedic Index (COI) is a psychometrically sound instrument for owner completion.
- The COI effectively assesses four critical domains in dogs with osteoarthritis: Stiffness, Gait, Function, and Quality of Life.
- This tool aids in the objective evaluation of outcome measures in canine orthopedic disease.
