OARSI recommended performance-based tests to assess physical function in people diagnosed with hip or knee osteoarthritis

• Published in: Osteoarthritis and cartilage 2013-08, Vol.21 (8), p.1042-1052
• Main Authors: Dobson, F, Hinman, R.S, Roos, E.M, Abbott, J.H, Stratford, P, Davis, A.M, Buchbinder, R, Snyder-Mackler, L, Henrotin, Y, Thumboo, J, Hansen, P, Bennell, K.L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of Daily Living; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee; Consensus; Decision analysis; Decision Support Techniques; Evidence-Based Medicine - methods; Exercise Test - methods; Expert opinion; Feasibility Studies; Health Status Indicators; Hip or knee osteoarthritis; Humans; International Cooperation; Measurement properties; Osteoarthritis, Hip - physiopathology; Osteoarthritis, Hip - surgery; Osteoarthritis, Knee - physiopathology; Osteoarthritis, Knee - surgery; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) - methods; Outcome Assessment (Health Care) - standards; Performance-based outcome measures; Physical function; Rheumatology
• ISSN: 1063-4584; 1522-9653
• DOI: 10.1016/j.joca.2013.05.002

Summary Objectives To recommend a consensus-derived set of performance-based tests of physical function for use in people diagnosed with hip or knee osteoarthritis (OA) or following joint replacement. Methods An international, multidisciplinary expert advisory group was established to guide the study. Potential tests for consideration in the recommended set were identified via a survey of selected experts and through a systematic review of the measurement properties for performance-based tests. A multi-phase, consensus-based approach was used to prioritize and select performance-based tests by applying decision analysis methodology (1000Minds software) via online decision surveys. The recommended tests were chosen based on available measurement-property evidence, feasibility of the tests, scoring methods and expert consensus. Results Consensus incorporated the opinions of 138 experienced clinicians and researchers from 16 countries. The five tests recommended by the advisory group and endorsed by Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) were the 30-s chair-stand test, 40 m fast-paced walk test, a stair-climb test, timed up-and-go test and 6-min walk test. The first three were recommended as the minimal core set of performance-based tests for hip or knee OA. Conclusion The OARSI recommended set of performance-based tests of physical function represents the tests of typical activities relevant to individuals diagnosed with hip or knee OA and following joint replacements. These tests are complementary to patient-reported measures and are recommended as prospective outcome measures in future OA research and to assist decision-making in clinical practice. Further research should be directed to expanding the measurement-property evidence of the recommended tests.