The International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Evaluation Form in a preadolescent population: pilot normative data.

BACKGROUND

The International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form is a knee-specific instrument composed of 18 questions. It is commonly used in adult and pediatric studies as a surgical outcome measure. Normative data exist for an adult population, but there have been no published normative results for younger subjects.

PURPOSE

To compile and report pilot normative International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form scores in a preadolescent population.

STUDY DESIGN

Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

The International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form was administered to 146 seventh-grade students (aged 12-14 years) at 2 local schools. The form was administered in its original format. Demographic and descriptive results were compiled.

RESULTS

One hundred twenty-five completed responses were eligible for analysis. The mean age was 13.2 years (SD, 0.5; range, 12.2-14.2 years); 15% of participants had a history of knee injury or pain. The mean International Knee Documentation Committee score for all respondents was 89.4 (SD, 10.5; 95% confidence interval, 87.6-91.3; range, 52-100).

CONCLUSION

This study provides pilot normative data for mean International Knee Documentation Committee scores in a preadolescent population. The mean score in this younger cohort is consistent with normative data of adults age 35 years or younger. Although the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Evaluation Form is often used in adolescent surgical studies, its validity in these populations remains to be established. Further work to establish the psychometric properties of the current form in younger age groups would be of significant benefit to clinicians.