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 .
Quality of life assessment: a comparison of four questionnaires: for measuring improvements after total hip replacement
Summary Three experimental question naires were compared with the Influence of Rheumatic Diseases on Health and Lifestyle ( IRGL ) question naire , a Dutch version of the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales . Sixty-two patients with osteoarthritis ( OA ) and 35 patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) , all of whom underwent hip arthroplasty , completed the study . Results showed that visual analogue scales for pain , stiffness , fatigue , and anxiety were strongly correlated with a number of the IRGL scales . Patient preference scales were sensitive to change and provided additional information on aspects of the patients ' quality of life ( QOL ) that were felt to be important by the patients themselves . The question naire on performance in various roles in life was insensitive to change . In existing question naires , there is an attempt to represent the concept of QOL in terms of its most important aspects . Such realizations of the concept of QOL are not entirely suitable for application in clinical trials . The IRGL is overly complex , and its sometimes comprehensive scales do not deal with the possible effects of treatment . Neither of these properties is conducive to sensitivity to change . Visual analogue scales reduce the complexity . A simpler representation of QOL that can evaluate aspects relevant to treatment is recommended
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 .