Validation of the English version of the Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History (WELCH) questionnaire in patients with intermittent claudication

Abstract

The Walking Estimated-Limitation Calculated by History (WELCH) questionnaire has recently been proposed as a valid and simple instrument for assessing walking limitation in patients with intermittent claudication. The aim of this study was to validate an English version of the WELCH questionnaire in an English native population. Thirty-nine patients (ankle–brachial index 0.59 ± 0.16, age 65 ± 11 years, 82% male) completed an English version of the WELCH questionnaire. Maximum walking distance was measured objectively using the Gardner–Skinner treadmill test and the 6-minute walk test. The median WELCH score was 24 (9–39). Maximum walking distances were 412 m (149–675 m) for the treadmill test and 381 ± 88 m for the 6-minute walking test. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient was ρ = 0.59 between the WELCH score and treadmill distance ( p < 0.001) and ρ = 0.82 between the WELCH score and 6-minute walk distance ( p < 0.001). These findings suggest that the English version of the WELCH questionnaire is a valid instrument for assessing walking impairment in patients with intermittent claudication.