Abstract - Evaluation of psychometric properties of Walking Impairment Questionnaire in overweight patients with osteoarthritis of knee

Volume 45 Number 4, 2008
Pages 559 — 566

Abstract - Evaluation of psychometric properties of Walking Impairment Questionnaire in overweight patients with osteoarthritis of knee

Eileen Collins, PhD, RN;1-2* Susan O'Connell, MHA, RN;1 Christine Jelinek, MS;1 Scott Miskevics, BS;1Elly Budiman-Mak, MD1,3

1Center for Management of Complex Chronic Care, Edward Hines Jr Department of Veterans Affairs Hospital, Hines, IL; 2College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL; 3Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University of Maywood, Chicago, IL

Abstract — This study tested the psychometric properties of the Walking Impairment Questionnaire (WIQ) in overweight patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and concurrent validity of the WIQ were measured. Used in a randomized clinical trial, the WIQ was one of the instruments completed by overweight adults with OA of the knee. A total of 105 patients completed the WIQ. Internal consistency of the WIQ was supported in this population with a Cronbach alpha total score of 0.97. Test-retest reliability scores were not different when subjects completed the WIQ 14 days apart (p > 0.05). The relationships were moderate between the WIQ subscales and other established measures, such as the 6-minute walk distance, stair climb and descend, and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (OA Index) questionnaire. After evaluating the psychometric properties of the WIQ, we found that it is a valid and reliable instrument to use in overweight patients with symptomatic OA of the knee.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov; Home-Based Exercise and Nutrition Program for Pain Control in Overweight Elderly Osteoarthritics, NCT00126737;
<http://www.clinicaltrials.gov>.

Key words: body mass index, difficulty walking, exercise, measurement, osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis knee, overweight, questionnaires, rehabilitation, reliability, validity, walking.

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