Cross-sectional and longitudinal validity of the Hughston Clinic Knee Questionnaire in arthroscopic meniscal repair

Abstract

Aim: To examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal convergent and discriminant validity and the sensitivity to change of the Hughston Clinic Knee Questionnaire (HCQ) in young adults with meniscal repair. Method: Seventeen young adults completed the HCQ and the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) at 1 week and at 6 weeks after an arthroscopic meniscal repair. Convergent validity was assessed by evaluating the correlation between the HCQ and the SF-36 physical function subscale. Discriminant validity from pain measure was assessed by examining the HCQ with the physical function and bodily pain subscales of the SF-36. Sensitivity to change was assessed using standardised response means. Spearman correlation coefficients were also calculated. Results: The HCQ showed moderate to strong cross-sectional and longitudinal convergent validity with the SF-36 physical function subscale; however, discriminant validity was not evident for the HCQ. The HCQ showed a larger standardised response mean than did the SF-36 physical function subscale. Conclusion: Cross-sectional and longitudinal convergent - but not discriminant - validity was established for the HCQ. Although the HCQ was more adept in detecting change scores than did the SF-36 physical function subscale, the reason for this finding was unclear.