Evaluation of Clinical Metrology Instrument in Dogs with Osteoarthritis

Abstract

BackgroundIn veterinary clinical pain studies, there is a paucity of data on test‐retest variability in Clinical Metrology Instruments (CMIs), and it is unknown whether CMIs should be administered using independent (respondents not permitted to see previous answers) or dependent (respondents shown previous answers) interviewing.ObjectivesTo compare baseline variability in CMIs designed to assess pain in dogs with osteoarthritis, and compare CMI scores using independent (InD) and dependent interviewing (DI) for the Canine Brief Pain Inventory (CBPI) and the Client‐Specific Outcome Measures (CSOM).AnimalsFifty‐one client‐owned dogs with radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis and associated pain.MethodsClinical Metrology Instruments data were collected during 2 randomized, double‐masked, placebo‐controlled, proof of principle pilot studies with parallel treatment groups. Enrolled dogs received either placebo or antinerve growth factor antibody (NV‐01).ResultsAgreement between baseline CMI scores was good (CBPI Pain P = .29, CBPI Interference P = .32, CSOM P = .036, LOAD P = .67, HCPI P = .27), being best for the LOAD (ICC = 0.89). CMI responses collected during independent and dependent interviewing were not statistically different (CBPI Pain P = .33, CBPI Interference P = .28, CSOM P = .42) and showed good agreement. Additionally, dependent interviewing resulted in increased treatment effect sizes.Conclusions and Clinical ImportanceThere is little difference between independent and dependent interviewing, however, dependent interviewing resulted in increased treatment effect sizes. By using dependent interviewing, investigators could increase clinical trial power through minimal change to study design. Further research is warranted to investigate the use of dependent interviewing.

Long‐term arthroscopic assessment of intra‐articular allografts for treatment of spontaneous cranial cruciate ligament rupture in the dog

“…The validated LOAD questionnaire was used as a subjective outcome measure . Owners reported that all dogs had an improved score.…”

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“…Instead, clinical metrology instruments and a patient-centred approach to outcome assessment have become mainstays in the assessment of human OA. A patient-centred approach has also been incorporated into veterinary assessments; clinical metrology instruments and validated outcome questionnaires are used to capture pain-related behaviour over long periods of time in home environments 164 , and pet owners can provide proxy assessments, just as parents or caregivers would for young children or adults with dementia 165,166 . Although objective assessment methods are less readily available than proxy reporting, these instruments have been validated, they are inexpensive and are straightforward to use, the data they produce are easy to analyse, and they do not have the relevancy issues associated with proxy reporting.…”

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“…It is still unknown if respondents should be permitted or not to see previous answers. Previous reports show little difference has been observed between both approaches, but allowing responders to see previous answers results in increased treatment effect sizes, which may increase clinical trial power [47]. In this study, in order to reduce bias, trainers were not allowed to see previous answers, as it might influence their responses, particularly with a long follow-up period.…”