However , the 4 generic scales would benefit from further validation in patients with RA , the VAS requires st and ardization , and the MAF would benefit from further sensitivity data .
OBJECTIVE Fatigue is an important outcome for patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) .
The purpose of this study was to identify the scales being used to measure RA fatigue , and to systematic ally examine the evidence for their validation .
The Nottingham Health Profile as a measure of disease activity and outcome in rheumatoid arthritis.
Clinical measurement in rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) has focused on articular problems . Although measures like the Health Assessment Question naire ( HAQ ) are widely used to determine functional impairment , there is a need to determine the overall effect of RA on general health status . We evaluated the relationship of a generic health status measure-the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP)-to the clinical , laboratory and radiological changes in the EULAR core data set for RA . Two hundred consecutive out- patients with RA were recruited . Their mean age was 58.9 yr and mean disease duration 11.3 yr . Patients completed the NHP and the following assessment s were made : the EULAR Core Data Set , the duration of morning stiffness , the Disease Activity Score ( DAS ) , rheumatoid factor ( RF ) levels , and Larsen 's score for X-rays of h and s and wrists .  RA patients had higher scores on the NHP than both a r and om population sample and a second sample of patients with a variety of common diseases . NHP scores were not related to age or disease duration in RA . There was little relationship between perceived distress and the Larsen score , RF , ESR and C-reactive protein levels . Moderate associations were seen between NHP scores and disease activity measures , including the number of tender and swollen joints , pain and the duration of early morning stiffness , and also with a disability measure-the HAQ . NHP scores were highly related to disease activity measured by DAS . High DAS scores were associated with high scores in the energy level , pain and sleep sections of the NHP . The NHP gives relevant information about RA patients . They have high scores for pain , physical mobility and energy level sections , and also have high distress for sleep and emotional reactions
However , the 4 generic scales would benefit from further validation in patients with RA , the VAS requires st and ardization , and the MAF would benefit from further sensitivity data .
OBJECTIVE Fatigue is an important outcome for patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) .
The purpose of this study was to identify the scales being used to measure RA fatigue , and to systematic ally examine the evidence for their validation .