Conclusion Based on this literature review , the disease-specificHAQ and the generic SF-36 can currently be most confidently recommended to measure PF in RA for most research purpose s. The HAQ , however , was frequently associated with considerable ceiling effects while the SF-36 has limited content coverage .
Background The aim of this study was to systematic ally review the content validity and measurement properties of all physical function ( PF ) scales which are currently vali date d for use with patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) .
Which outcome measures should be used in rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials? Clinical and quality-of-life measures' responsiveness to treatment in a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE To determine the discriminant validity of the core set of outcome measures proposed by the American College of Rheumatology ( ACR ) and the Outcome Measures in Clinical Trials ( OMERACT ) conference committee to be used in clinical trials of rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) . METHODS Utilizing data from a multicenter r and omized double-blind clinical trial of low-dose cyclosporine and placebo in RA , we estimated the relative efficiency ( RE ) of measures to detect a treatment effect ( relative to tender joint count , which was assigned a value of 1 ) . Four pain measures ( 10-cm visual analog scale [ VAS ] , 5-point categorical scale , Health Assessment Question naire [ HAQ ] pain index , Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales [ AIMS ] pain score ) and 3 quality -of-life measures ( Problem Elicitation Technique [ PET ] , HAQ , AIMS )  were compared . RESULTS Physician and patient global measures were the most responsive instruments , although neither was statistically superior to tender joint count . Swollen joint count , grip strength , pain measured on a 10-cm VAS , and functional status as measured by the PET and HAQ were all of intermediate responsiveness . Morning stiffness , 5-point pain scale , and erythrocyte sedimentation rate were the least responsive instruments . CONCLUSION This study provides further evidence to support the core set of outcome measures proposed by the ACR and OMERACT
Conclusion Based on this literature review , the disease-specificHAQ and the generic SF-36 can currently be most confidently recommended to measure PF in RA for most research purpose s. The HAQ , however , was frequently associated with considerable ceiling effects while the SF-36 has limited content coverage .
Background The aim of this study was to systematic ally review the content validity and measurement properties of all physical function ( PF ) scales which are currently vali date d for use with patients with rheumatoid arthritis ( RA ) .