The GRCS is a measure of patient perception that asks respondents to rate the change in their symptoms. To minimize ambiguity and ensure valid information, the GRCS was worded as a condition-specific and construct-specific functional scale that specifically referred to hip OA and physical function, based on the recommendations of Kamper et al. The question reads, “Please imagine how you would have described your level of function 9 weeks ago when you entered this trial. How do you rate your overall strength, endurance, and agility in performing activities today as compared to 9 weeks ago as far as your osteoarthritis of the left/right hip is concerned? Think of activities such as getting in/out of a car, standing up from a chair, walking for longer duration, walking more quickly, feeling steady on your feet without losing balance, performing daily activities such as putting on shoes and socks.”
The GRCS used in this study had 15 possible numerical values corresponding to verbal descriptions ranging from +7 (“A very great deal better”) to –7 (“A very great deal worse”), as described by Jaeschke et al. The GRCS has been well validated and extensively used in research as an outcome measure and to compare outcome measures