Abstract
BackgroundA multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ) that was developed primarily for routine rheumatology care has advanced clinical research concerning disease burden, disability, and mortality in rheumatic diseases. Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3), an index within the MDHAQ, is the most widely used index to assess rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical care in the United States, and it recognizes clinical status changes in all studied rheumatic diseases. MDHAQ physical function scores are far more significant in the prognosis of premature RA mortality than laboratory or imaging data. However, electronic medical records (EMRs) generally do not include patient questionnaires. An electronic MDHAQ (eMDHAQ), linked by fast healthcare interoperability resources (FIHR) to an EMR, can facilitate clinical and research advances.ObjectiveThis study analyzed the reliability, feasibility, and patient acceptance of an eMDHAQ.MethodsSince 2006, all Rush University Medical Center rheumatology patients with all diagnoses have been asked to complete a paper MDHAQ at each routine care encounter. In April 2019, patients were invited to complete an eMDHAQ at the conclusion of the encounter. Analyses were conducted to determine the reliability of eMDHAQ versus paper MDHAQ scores, arithmetically and by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The feasibility of the eMDHAQ was analyzed based on the time for patient completion. The patient preference for the electronic or paper version was analyzed through a patient paper questionnaire.ResultsThe 98 study patients were a typical routine rheumatology patient group. Seven paper versus eMDHAQ scores were within 2%, differences neither clinically nor statistically significant. ICCs of 0.86-0.98 also indicated good to excellent reliability. Mean eMDHAQ completion time was a feasible 8.2 minutes. The eMDHAQ was preferred by 72% of patients; preferences were similar according to age and educational level.ConclusionsThe results on a paper MDHAQ versus eMDHAQ were similar. Most patients preferred an eMDHAQ.
Highlights
A multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ) [1,2,3] has been completed by all patients at all visits to one of the authors (TP) since 1982, based on initial evidence that patient questionnaire scores for physical function are significant in the prognosis of work disability and premature death in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [4]
Databases of paper MDHAQ data from routine care have been entered into electronic research databases to recognize that disease burden in osteoarthritis is similar to RA [15], and to develop indices such as routine assessment of patient index data 3 (RAPID3) [16,17,18] and a fibromyalgia assessment screening tool (FAST3)
All intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were greater than 0.86, indicating good to excellent reliability of the 2 versions; these values are as high as those seen in most comparisons in clinical medicine
Summary
A multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ) [1,2,3] has been completed by all patients at all visits to one of the authors (TP) since 1982, based on initial evidence that patient questionnaire scores for physical function are significant in the prognosis of work disability and premature death in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) [4]. Databases of paper MDHAQ data from routine care have been entered into electronic research databases to recognize that disease burden in osteoarthritis is similar to RA [15], and to develop indices such as routine assessment of patient index data 3 (RAPID3) [16,17,18] and a fibromyalgia assessment screening tool (FAST3). A multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ) that was developed primarily for routine rheumatology care has advanced clinical research concerning disease burden, disability, and mortality in rheumatic diseases. Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3), an index within the MDHAQ, is the most widely used index to assess rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical care in the United States, and it recognizes clinical status changes in all studied rheumatic diseases.
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