Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this study was to systematically review the content validity and measurement properties of all physical function (PF) scales which are currently validated for use with patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).MethodsSystematic literature searches were performed in the Scopus and PubMed databases to identify articles on the development or psychometric evaluation of PF scales for patients with RA. The content validity of included scales was evaluated by linking their items to the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF). Furthermore, available evidence of the reliability, validity, responsiveness, and interpretability of the included scales was rated according to published quality criteria.ResultsThe search identified 26 questionnaires with PF scales. Ten questionnaires were rated to have adequate content validity. Construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and responsiveness was rated favourably for respectively 15, 11, 5, and 6 of the investigated scales. Information about the absolute measurement error and minimal important change scores were rarely reported.ConclusionBased 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 purposes. The HAQ, however, was frequently associated with considerable ceiling effects while the SF-36 has limited content coverage. Alternative scales that might be better suited for specific research purposes are identified along with future directions for research.
Highlights
The aim of this study was to systematically review the content validity and measurement properties of all physical function (PF) scales which are currently validated for use with patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
There are no comprehensive studies available that systematically evaluate the evidence for the quality of the measurement properties of all PF scales that are validated for patients with RA
Of the 110 questionnaires that were psychometrically evaluated in the studies, 65 did not contain a PF scale and 18 questionnaires were limited to assessing the functioning of specific limbs or joints
Summary
The aim of this study was to systematically review the content validity and measurement properties of all physical function (PF) scales which are currently validated for use with patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Previous efforts have been limited to descriptive reviews of well-known instruments or non-systematic selections of the available literature on their measurement properties. Within the ICF classification, the ‘activity’ dimension constitutesthe individual’s perspective on functioning and is defined as ‘difficulties an individual may have in executing activities [12] This dimension consists of the chapters domestic life, self-care and mobility, which respectively coincide with (instrumental) activities of daily living (IADL & ADL) and mobility which are traditionally used terms in the literature on physical functioning [13]
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