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The German Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is reliable, valid and responsive in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement

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Abstract

Purpose

To determine the measurement properties of a German version of the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis undergoing total joint replacement (TJR).

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 486 consecutive patients. The LEFS and other self-reported outcome measures were administered at different time points and several classical measurement properties were determined.

Results

The German LEFS was highly reliable (ICC 0.98) and internally consistent (CA 0.95). Construct validity was proven by large to very large correlations (r = 0.52–0.91) with all other instruments in the expected directions. Factor analysis using a polychoric correlation matrix revealed two factors at baseline and 6 months explaining about 70 % of the total variance. There were no floor or ceiling effects for the total score, but significant floor effects for the single items 16–19 at baseline. The LEFS was highly responsive at 6 months.

Conclusions

The German LEFS proved to be a reliable, valid and responsive tool for the self-assessment of patients undergoing total hip or knee replacement. Nevertheless, the questionnaire seems to summarize more than one construct as highlighted by the factor analysis. Further research seems therefore warranted.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Deutsche Arthrose-Hilfe e. V. Saarlouis, Germany. The study was funded by the Deutsche Arthrose-Hilfe e. V., Saarlouis, Germany.

Conflict of interest

There is no potential conflict of interest in relation to this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technical University of Munich, Ismaninger Strasse 22, 81675, Munich, Germany

    Florian D. Naal, Sebastian Torka & Rüdiger von Eisenhart-Rothe

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland

    Florian D. Naal & Michael Leunig

  3. Department of Research and Development, Schulthess Clinic, Zurich, Switzerland

    Franco M. Impellizzeri & Vanessa Wellauer

Authors
  1. Florian D. Naal
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  2. Franco M. Impellizzeri
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  3. Sebastian Torka
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  4. Vanessa Wellauer
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  5. Michael Leunig
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  6. Rüdiger von Eisenhart-Rothe
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Florian D. Naal.

Appendix

Appendix

Wir sind daran interessiert zu wissen, ob Sie auf Grund Ihrer unteren Extremität Probleme bei den unten aufgelisteten Aktivitäten haben. Bitte geben Sie eine Antwort zu jeder der aufgeführten Aktivitäten.

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Naal, F.D., Impellizzeri, F.M., Torka, S. et al. The German Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) is reliable, valid and responsive in patients undergoing hip or knee replacement. Qual Life Res 24, 405–410 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0777-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11136-014-0777-6

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