Reliability and Validity Measures of the Patellofemoral Subscale KOOS-PF in Greek Patients with Patellofemoral Pain.

Background: Patellofemoral pain (PFP) is one of the most common multifactorial musculoskeletal pathologies affecting the knee joint. The prevalence of PFP in the general population ranges from 11% to 17%, with higher rates observed in specific groups such as females, runners, military personnel, and young athletes. To assess symptoms associated with PFP, the patellofemoral subscale (KOOS-PF) was developed, consisting of 11 questions that evaluate pain, stiffness, and quality of life. The KOOS-PF scale has already been validated and shown to be reliable in both its Spanish and Arabic versions.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the reliability and validity of the KOOS-PF scale in the Greek language among the Greek population with patellofemoral pain.

Methods: Fifty-five participants aged 18-65 years who suffered from PFP were evaluated in two phases on the first and third days to determine the reliability and validity of the measures of KOOS-PF in the Greek language. Construct validity was assessed using the knee outcome survey scale-activities of daily living scale (KOS-ADLS). Reliability was measured through repeated measurements (test-retest) using intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM), and smallest detectable difference (SDD). Internal consistency was evaluated using Cronbach's coefficient a. The significance level was set at 5% (α = 0.05).

Results: The KOOS-PF measures showed high internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha 0.87, p = 0.05) and high test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.95, p = 0.05, SEM = 3.7, SDC = 13.57). Additionally, the Greek version of the KOOS-PF exhibited high construct validity when correlated with the KOS-ADLS scale (r = 0.72, p = 0.001).

Conclusions: The KOOS-PF scale displayed high reliability and construct validity for measuring patellofemoral pain in the Greek population.