ASAS HI Scores Research Articles

Long-term association between physical activity and global functioning in patients with axial spondyloarthritis: results of a two-year prospective study

Objectives To assess the longitudinal association between physical activity and global functioning in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), and to identify the subtype of physical activity that is longitudinally related to global functioning. Method Physical activity was measured using Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Global functioning was assessed using the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI). The amount and subtype (work, transport, and recreation) of physical activity, disease activity, and ASAS HI were assessed at baseline, and at 1 and 2 year follow-up. Physical activity levels were categorized as low, moderate, or high. The longitudinal association between physical activity and ASAS HI scores was analysed using a generalized estimating equation. Results The study evaluated 160 patients. Univariate analysis identified physical activity at moderate level and higher, Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), and syndesmophyte number as being longitudinally associated with ASAS HI over 2 years. Multivariate analysis identified physical activity at moderate level and higher as being longitudinally associated with ASAS HI. Physical activity above moderate levels was associated independently with good global functioning. In the analysis stratified by radiographic axSpA and non-radiographic axSpA, a positive association between physical activity and global functioning was observed in both groups. Only recreational activity, but not work- and transport-related activity, showed an independent longitudinal relationship with the ASAS HI score. Conclusions Physical activity at moderate level and higher was associated independently with global functioning in axSpA. Therefore, patients should maintain physical activity above moderate levels to preserve global function.

Comparison of the ASAS Health Index in patients classified as radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) or non-radiographic axSpA in the ASAS Health Index international validation study

ObjectivesTo determine if there were differences in the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI) scores between patients classified as radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA) and non-radiographic axSpA (nr-axSpA),...

Global Functioning in Axial Spondyloarthritis is Stronger Associated With Disease Activity and Function Than With Mobility and Radiographic Damage.

The Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society Health Index (ASAS HI) is a validated patient-reported outcome (PRO) for global functioning of patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). The Epionics SPINE (ES) is an electronic device for assessment of axial mobility that provides an objective measure of spinal mobility by assessing range of motion (RoM) and range of kinematics (RoK). The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between global functioning and clinical measures of disease activity, physical function, spinal mobility, and radiographic damage. In a cross-sectional study design, consecutive patients with radiographic and nonradiographic axSpA were included, and the following established tools were assessed: Bath ankylosing spondylitis (AS) disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath AS functional index (BASFI), Bath AS metrology index (BASMI), ASAS HI, and RoM and RoK using ES. Structural damage of spine and sacroiliac joints (SIJ) were assessed by counting the number of syndesmophytes and by New York grading of sacroiliitis. Kendall's tau correlation coefficients were calculated. In 103 patients with axSpA, ASAS HI scores correlated significantly with PRO scores (BASDAI, r = 0.36; BASFI, r = 0.48; and back pain, r = 0.41; all P < 0.001). In contrast, no significant correlation between ASAS HI and RoM and RoK (r between -0.08 and 0.09) and radiographic damage in SIJ and spine (all r between 0.03 and 0.004) were seen, respectively. BASMI scores correlated weakly (r = 0.14; P = 0.05). This study shows that axSpA disease-specific PROs have an impact on global functioning, whereas spinal mobility scores, even if objectively assessed by the ES, have limited impact on patient reported-global functioning. The results also suggest that global functioning is, in this cohort, not much dependent on the degree of structural damage in the axial skeleton.

Association of anxiety, depression and resilience with overall health and functioning in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA): a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesTo evaluate the association between anxiety, depression and resilience with overall health and functioning in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).DesignCross-sectional evaluation of baseline data from a prospective cohort study, with recruitment from...

The identification of association between ultrasonographic enthesitis and the ASAS Health Index in patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

This study aimed to evaluate association between the entheseal abnormalities in ultrasound and the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society Health Index (ASAS HI) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). Seventy-four patients with axSpA were enrolled in this study. Ultrasonographic evaluation of entheses was performed by a blinded rheumatologist with the Madrid Sonographic Enthesitis Index (MASEI). The MASEI total score and the MASEI sub-scores (e.g., structural damage and activity scores) were calculated. The ASAS HI and the other SpA tools (e.g., Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Index, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score) were used to evaluate patients' health and disease activity. Correlation and multivariate linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between the MASEI and the ASAS HI. The mean score of the ASAS HI was 7.7 ± 4.6. The MASEI total score was calculated as 8.4 ± 6.8, while the mean MASEI-activity was 4.7 ± 3.6 and the mean MASEI-structural damage was 3.8 ± 4.5. There was no correlation between ASAS HI and MASEI total scores (r = 0.11, p = 0.34). However, the ASAS HI had a positive correlation with the MASEI-activity (r = 0.49, p < 0.001) and had a low negative correlation with the MASEI-structural damage (r = -0.29, p < 0.05). In the linear regression model, the MASEI-activity and MASEI-structural damage were significantly related to the ASAS HI (β = 0.72 and -0.58, respectively; R2 = 0.53 p < 0.001). This study reported that the ASAS HI score was more negatively affected by active entheseal lesions rather than structural lesions. We suggest adding the entheses evaluation with ultrasonography to other tools for monitoring the health status of patients with axSpA.

Clinical performance of ASAS Health Index in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: real-world evidence from Multicenter Nationwide Registry.

The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI) is used as a new instrument in measuring the function, disability and health of patients with spondyloarthritis (SpA). However, the real-world evidence of ASAS HI is very limited. In the present study, our objective is to evaluate the psychometric properties and performance of ASAS HI in the real-world setting as well as comparing ASAS HI with the current instruments to assess the construct validity and determine the cut-off points in patients with both ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nr-axSpA). A total of 991 patients with axSpA who fulfilled either the ASAS classification criteria for axial SpA (axSpA) or the Modified New York Criteria (mNY) for AS were recruited from the Biologic and targeted Synthetic antirheumatic drugs Registry (BioStaR) SpA. The construct validity of ASAS HI against the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activities Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score-C-Reactive Protein (ASDAS-CRP) the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional index (BASFI) was performed. Using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis, the cut-off points were calculated. Of all the recruited patients, 851 (85.9%) were AS and 140 (14.1%) were nr-axSpA. The difference in the mean ASAS HI scores of the patients with AS and the ones with nr-axSpA were not statistically significant (6.12 ± 4.29 and 6.42 ± 4.86, respectively). The mean ASAS HI score was significantly higher in females and small city residents. The ASAS HI had a strong construct validity against ASDAS-CRP, BASDAI and BASFI. A cut-off point of ≤ 4 was determined to discriminate good and moderate, as well as ≥ 12 to discriminate moderate and poor health status. In conclusion, ASAS HI is a reliable instrument to evaluate health and functioning for both patients with AS and nr-axSpA in clinical practice.

Gender difference in ASAS HI among patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

To assess the associations of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society Health Index (ASAS HI) with gender and other factors in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). From November 2017 to October 2018, we measured the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS) and the ASAS HI score for AS patients at the Taichung Veterans General Hospital. After adjusting for disease activity (ASDAS-erythrocyte sedimentation rate [ESR], ASDAS- C-reactive protein [CRP], BASDAI+ESR or BASDAI+CRP), mSASSS and other potential confounders including medications, comorbidities, and laboratory data, any associations between gender and the sum score of ASDAS HI were assessed using multiple linear regression analysis, as well as any associations between gender and an ASAS HI score >5 using multivariable logistic regression analysis. A total of 307 AS patients (62 [20.2%] females, mean age 46.4 years [S.D. 13.3], mean symptom duration 20.6 years [S.D. 12.1]) were included. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the male gender was significantly associated with a lower ASAS HI (B = -1. 91, 95% confidence interval [CI], -2.82--1.00, p <0.001). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that males also had a lower risk of achieving scores of ASAS HI > 5 than females (odds ratio = 0.15, 95% CI, 0.07-0.36, p <0.001). Disease activity measures, including ASDAS-ESR, ASDAS-CRP and BASDAI, had positive correlations with ASAS HI. This single-center, cross-sectional study revealed that a higher ASAS HI score was significantly associated with female gender and higher disease activity measures.

Evaluation of subclinical myocardial dysfunction using speckle tracking echocardiography in patients with radiographic and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis

To evaluate whether there is any difference between radiographic axial spondyloarthritis (r-axSpA), also termed ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and non-radiographic (nr-) axSpA, with respect to subclinial myocardial dysfunction using speckle tracking echocardiography (STE). This was a cross-sectional case control study. We included 72 patients with AS, 38 patients with nr-axSpA, and 56 age-matched healthy subjects. Patients with cardiac disease and cardiac risk factors affecting STE were excluded. The disease burden evaluated by the BASDAI, BASFI, BAS-G, and ASAS-HI scores were comparable in both the r- and nr-axSpA groups. A detailed echocardiographic examination including the M-mode, Doppler, and STE was applied to whole study population. Duration of the disease, the use of an anti-TNFα agent, and CRP levels were higher in patients with AS. Although the AS, nr-axSpA, and control groups had similar ejection fraction values (59±5.2, 60±4.6, 60±4.6, respectively, and p=0.499), the global longitudinal peak systolic strain (GLS) (20.5±3.3, 21.1±3.5, and 22.3±2.4, respectively, and p<0.05) was different between the groups. In a post-hoc analysis, GLS was not different between the nr-axSpA and control groups, and it was significantly lower in patients with AS. In the univariate analysis, peripheral arthritis (p=0.035) and age (p=0.032) were correlated with GLS. A multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that peripheral arthritis (p=0.009) was the only independent GLS predictor. Subclinical myocardial dysfunction as assessed by GLS was present in AS, but not in nr-ax-SpA patients. Thus, GLS could be used as a differentiating factor between radiographic and nr-axSpA patients.

THU0370 CLUSTER-RANDOMIZED PRAGMATIC CLINICAL TRIAL EVALUATING THE POTENTIAL BENEFIT OF A TIGHT-CONTROL AND TREAT-TO-TARGET STRATEGY IN AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS: THE RESULTS OF THE TICOSPA TRIAL.

Background:Current recommendations for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) management include tight control and treat-to-target (TC) strategies, but no study has evaluated its potential benefitObjectives:To evaluate the benefit of TC strategies in comparison to usual care (UC) in patients with axSpA.Methods:Study design:Pragmatic, prospective, cluster-randomized controlled (2 arms), one-year trial (NCT03043846).Centers: 18 axSpA expert centers randomly allocated (1:1) to the treatment arm: TC vs. UC.Patients: axSpA diagnosis and ASAS criteria, non-optimally treated with NSAIDs, bDMARD-naïve, and ASDAS &gt; 2.1 at inclusion.Study treatment:a) TC arm: the strategy was pre-specified by the scientific committee based on current axSpA recommendations and aiming at a target (ASDAS &lt;2.1); visits every 4w;b) UC arm:treatment decisions were at the rheumatologist’s discretion with visits every 12w.Outcomes:the % of patients with a significant (&gt;30%) improvement in the ASAS-HI score over one-year follow-up was the main outcome. Other outcomes (disease activity, quality of life, treatment, …) over follow-up were evaluated (Table 1). The number/type of adverse events were collected.Statistical analysis: this was an intention-to-treat analysis. To take into account the cluster-randomization design, for all outcomes, two models were performed: first a two-level mixed model with 2 random effects was used to estimate the % of responders/the change of the outcome over follow-up (i.e. mod1); in a second step, the imbalanced variables observed at baseline were included in the model (i.e.mod2). Cost-effectiveness was assessed by estimating the (baseline- and cluster-adjusted) incremental cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained for TC vs. UC.Estimated outcomes at week 48Cluster-adjusted (mod1)Cluster and imbalance-adjusted (mod2)TCUCASDAS LDA*76.5%59.5%&lt;0.010.03ASDAS ID25.9%18.7%--ASDAS CII61.2%46.0%&lt;0.010.02ASDAS MI16.5%14.9%--ASAS4052.3%34.7%&lt;0.010.01ASAS2094.9%85.9%&lt;0.010.03BASDAI 5079.0%43.8%0.010.03Physician Global (0-10)2.0 (0.2)1.8 (0.2)--CRP (mg/L)3.9(1.4)3.5 (1.5)--BASG (0-10)2.6 (0.5)3.4 (0.5)0.09-BASFI (0-10)1.7(0.5)2.4 (0.5)--ASAS HI SMD47.3%36.1%--EQ5D0.7(0.1)0.8(0.1)0.02-ASAS-NSAID score1.5(2.2)- 4.9 (2.9)--Results:160 patients were included (80 in TC and 80 in UC). Mean age was 37.9(11.0) years with a disease duration of 3.7(6.2) years, 51.2% were males. A radiographic damage of the SI-joints, a (ever) positive MRI sacroiliitis and HLA-B27+ were seen in 46.9%, 81.9% and 75.0% patients respectively. Mean ASDAS at inclusion was 3.0 (0.7) and mean ASASHI was 8.6 (3.7). 72 patients per group attended the one-year visit. Although 47.3% vs. 36.1% patients in the TC and UC arms achieved a significant improvement in ASASHI at the one-year visit, the difference was not statistically significant, with either model. Across all other outcomes a trend was observed in favor of the TC arm (Table 1). The number of bDMARDs was significantly higher in TC arm (56.2% vs. 27.2%). The number of infections was comparable in both groups (15 vs. 16 in the TC and UC, respectively), with only 2 severe infections occurring in the UC arm. From a societal perspective, TC resulted in an additional 0.04 QALY and saved €265 when compared to UC and a 67% probability of being cost-effective at a cost-effectiveness threshold of €20,000 per QALY.Conclusion:In this setting of SpA expert centers, UC resulted in a good outcome in a substantial number of patients but the TC was not superior for the primary outcome despite a greater number of bDMARDs prescription. Nevertheless, a general trend in favor of the tight control was observed, with a comparable safety profile and was found to be favorable from a societal health economic perspective.Acknowledgments:this trial has been conducted thanks to an unrestricted grant from UCBDisclosure of Interests:Anna Moltó Grant/research support from: Pfizer, UCB, Consultant of: Abbvie, BMS, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer, UCB, Clementina López-Medina: None declared, Filip van den Bosch Consultant of: AbbVie, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Celgene Corporation, Eli Lilly, Galapagos, Janssen, Novartis, Pfizer, and UCB, Annelies Boonen Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Consultant of: Galapagos, Lilly (all paid to the department), Casper Webers: None declared, Emmanuelle Dernis Speakers bureau: Lilly, Novartis, Floris A. van Gaalen: None declared, Martin SOUBRIER: None declared, Pascal Claudepierre Speakers bureau: Janssen, Novartis, Lilly, Athan Baillet Consultant of: Athan BAILLET has received honorarium fees from Abbvie for his participation as the coordinator of the systematic literature review, Mirian Starmans-Kool: None declared, Désirée van der Heijde Consultant of: AbbVie, Amgen, Astellas, AstraZeneca, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Celgene, Cyxone, Daiichi, Eisai, Eli-Lilly, Galapagos, Gilead Sciences, Inc., Glaxo-Smith-Kline, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Regeneron, Roche, Sanofi, Takeda, UCB Pharma; Director of Imaging Rheumatology BV, Maxime Dougados Grant/research support from: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma, Consultant of: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma, Speakers bureau: AbbVie, Eli Lilly, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer and UCB Pharma

Performance of the ASAS Health Index for the Evaluation of Spondyloarthritis in Daily Practice.

The Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI) is a tool designed to assess disease impact in spondyloarthritis (SpA), but its clinical performance is barely known. We aimed to test the clinimetric properties of ASAS HI in a real clinical setting. This cross-sectional study included 111 consecutive patients with SpA. The measurement properties of ASAS HI were tested against conventional assessment measures. Convergent validity was assessed by Spearman rho correlations, while discriminative validity was analyzed through receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves. A multivariate regression analysis was designed to identify ASAS HI items associated with active disease. The average ASAS HI was 5.4 ± 3.8 (interquartile range 3-8). ASAS HI showed high convergent validity against other SpA measures (rho ≥ 0.70, p < 0.0005). The optimal criteria for detecting high/very high disease activity Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) categories was an ASAS HI score > 6, area under the ROC curve 0.86 (95% CI 0.78-0.92), positive likelihood ratio 7.3 (95% CI 3.1-17.1), p < 0.0001. The ASAS HI items significantly associated with Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index active disease were "I often get frustrated" (OR 9.2, 95% CI 1.2-69.4, p = 0.032), and "I sleep badly at night" (OR 7.7, 95% CI 1.4-41.6, p = 0.018). As for ASDAS, it was "pain sometimes disrupts my normal activities" (OR 8.7, 95% CI 1.7-45.2, p = 0.010). The ASAS HI is a useful and simple instrument for its application in daily practice. Given its good clinimetric properties, it could be used as an additional instrument to evaluate SpA.

A validation study of the Taiwanese version of the assessment of spondyoarthritis international society health index

Objective: The objective is to validate the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society Health Index (ASAS HI) in patients with Spondyloarthritis (SpA). Methods: We recruited 102 consecutive patients with SpA from two rheumatology clinics. Demographic data was collected. Recruited patients completed the ASAS HI and other self-assessment questionnaires (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Global Index (BASGI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36), Euro-quality-of-life-5D (EQ5D), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI)). Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) was calculated. Correlations between ASAS HI and the questionnaires were determined for concurrent validity. The ASAS HI score was also checked for test-retest reliability, internal consistency, discriminative ability, and floor and ceiling effects. Results: The ASAS HI achieved good test-retest reliability (ICC 0.87), internal consistency, and discriminative ability. It had no floor or ceiling effect. Favourable concurrent validity was found with measures of disease activities (BASDAI, ASDAS), quality-of-life (SF 36, EQ5D), psychological symptoms (HADS), and work disability (WAPI). The ASAS HI was able to differentiate higher disease activity and psychological symptoms. Patients found it easy to understand, comprehensive, relevant and appropriate to their disease. The average time needed to complete the questionnaire was 2 minutes 36 seconds ± 1 minute 2 seconds. Conclusion: The Taiwanese version of the ASAS HI is a validated tool in the assessment of health status in patients with SpA.

Clinimetric properties of the ASAS health index in a cohort of Italian patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

BackgroundThe impact of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is considerable in many aspects of the life. Over the last decades, many efforts have been conducted to develop useful tools for the evaluation of disease activity. However, since the development of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis international Society Health Index (ASAS HI), no specific freely questionnaire to describe the overall picture of impairments, limitations and restrictions in activities or social partecipation were available. The aims of this study were to test the feasibility, reliability, and construct validity of the ASAS HI, in order to compare its clinimetric properties with the current available measures of disease activity, functional limitation and health status assessments in patients with axSpA.MethodsA cohort of 140 consecutive axSpA has been the object of study. The feasibility has been determined by the percentage of patients who were able to complete the questionnaire by themselves and by the time employed to fill the ASAS HI. The reliability has been evaluated performing a test-retest of the questionnaire within a week. The construct validity was examined in three ways. First, we examined construct convergent validity by correlating the scores of the ASAS HI with the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS)-CRP/ESR, the Simplified Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (SASDAS), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), the Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life scale (ASQoL) and the EuroQoL Five Dimensional Questionnaire (EQ-5D). Secondly, we have created patient groups based on the patients' activity ranks (ASDAS-CRP and SASDAS categorisation) within the cohort to assess discriminative accuracy. Additionally, to distinguish patients with active and non-active disease and to assess their respective cut-off points values, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used. Thirdly, we analyzed the contribution of demographic (age, sex, and disease duration) and clinical variables (number of comorbidity and disease activity by ASAS-CRP) to the attainment of an ASAS HI condition by stepwise logistic regression.ResultsThe mean time to complete the ASAS HI was 1.92 ± 0.76 min. Overall, the ASAS HI questionnaire was correctly completed by the majority of the patients (99,2 %). Coefficients of agreement between ASAS HI scores on first and second administrations were excellent and all items showed very good agreement (ICC = 0.976; range 0.966 to 0.982). The ASAS HI was correlated significantly with all other comparator scores (p <0.0001). The highest correlations were seen with ASQoL (rho 0.784; p <0.0001), BASFI (rho 0.671; p <0.0001) and SASDAS (rho 0.640; p <0.0003). On categorizing patients into different cut-off point of disease activity, with respect to the both ASDAS-CRP and SASDAS, ASAS HI scores were highly significantly different between the four categories (p <0.0001). An ASAS HI value of 4.0 resulted the cut-off with the highest combination of sensitivity and specificity (82.6 % and 86.3 %, respectively) to define the inactive disease. In the logistic regression model, high disease activity measured by ASDAS-CRP (coefficient 2.39; p <0.0001), was the only independent variable associated with ASAS HI.ConclusionsThe results reported in this study confirm the feasibility, reliability and validity of the ASAS HI in Italian patients with axSpA. Even if ASAS HI is not a disease activity index, of particular interest appears the cut-off value of 4.0, under which could be defined the inactive disease. This value could represent an easily applicable starting point in daily clinical practice.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12955-016-0463-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The Reliability and Validity of a Korean Translation of the ASAS Health Index and Environmental Factors in Korean Patients with Axial Spondyloarthritis

The objective of this study was to develop a Korean version of the Assessment of Spondyloarthritis International Society-Health Index/Environmental Factor (ASAS HI/EF) and to evaluate its reliability and validity in Korean patients with axial spondyloarthritis (SpA). A total of 43 patients participated. Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the ASAS HI/EF was performed according to international standardized guidelines. We also evaluated validity by calculating correlation coefficients between the ASAS-HI/EF score and the clinical parameters. Test-retest reliability was excellent. The correlations among the mean ASAS-HI score and all tools of assessment for SpA were significant. When it came to construct validity, the ASAS HI score was correlated with nocturnal back pain, spinal pain, patients's global assessment score, the Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis metrology index (BASMI) and EuroQoL visual analogue scale (EQ VAS) (r = 0.353, 0.585, 0.598, 0.637, 0.690, 0.430, and -0.534). The ASAS EF score was also correlated with the patient's global assessment's score, BASDAI, BASFI, BASMI, and EQ VAS score (r = 0.375, 0.490, 0.684, 0.485, and -0.554). The Korean version of the ASAS HI/EF can be used in the clinical field to assess and evaluate the state of health of Korean axial SpA patients.

Study on Clinical Effectiveness of the Korean Version of Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society-Health Index

Objective. To evaluate the validity of the Korean version of ASAS-HI in patients with spondyloarthritis in Korea. Methods. A total of 91 patients were enrolled. We evaluated the validity by calculating the correlation coefficients between the Korean version of ASAS-HI and other clinical parameters, including patient global assessment (PGA), spinal back pain score, Bath ankylosing spondylitis disease activity index (BASDAI), Bath ankylosing spondylitis functional index (BASFI), ankylosing spondylitis disease activity score (AS-DAS), work productivity and activity impairment (WPAI) number 5 and number 6, hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), health Survey Short-Form 36 (SF-36), and EuroQol visual analogue scale (EQ-5D VAS). Using a Pearson correlation coefficient, the validity was assessed by making a comparison between the correlation of the ASAS HI and clinical parameters in all patients. Results. The Korean version of ASAS-HI score was correlated with PGA, spinal back pain score, BASDAI, BASFI, AS-DAS, WPAI number 5, WPAI number 6, HADS, and EQ-5D (r=0.331, 0.403, 0.638, 0.500, 0.595, 0.480, 0.573, 0.626, −0.497, p=0.002, ＜0.001, ＜0.001, ＜0.001, ＜0.001, ＜0.001, ＜0.001, and ＜0.001, respectively). Conclusion. In this study, the clinical effectiveness of the Korean version of ASAS-HI was proved by calculating the correlation with other clinical parameters. The Korean version of ASAS-HI can be used in clinical practice and research to assess the healthy state of spondyloarthritis patients in Korea.