RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Content and Construct Validity, Reliability, and Responsiveness of the Rheumatoid Arthritis Flare Questionnaire: OMERACT 2016 Workshop Report
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 1536
OP 1543
DO 10.3899/jrheum.161145
VO 44
IS 10
A1 Susan J. Bartlett
A1 Skye P. Barbic
A1 Vivian P. Bykerk
A1 Ernest H. Choy
A1 Rieke Alten
A1 Robin Christensen
A1 Alfons den Broeder
A1 Bruno Fautrel
A1 Daniel E. Furst
A1 Francis Guillemin
A1 Sarah Hewlett
A1 Amye L. Leong
A1 Anne Lyddiatt
A1 Lyn March
A1 Pamela Montie
A1 Christoph Pohl
A1 Marieke Scholte Voshaar
A1 Thasia G. Woodworth
A1 Clifton O. Bingham III
YR 2017
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/44/10/1536.abstract
AB Objective. The Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) Flare Group was established to develop a reliable way to identify and measure RA flares in randomized controlled trials (RCT). Here, we summarized the development and field testing of the RA Flare Questionnaire (RA-FQ), and the voting results at OMERACT 2016.Methods. Classic and modern psychometric methods were used to assess reliability, validity, sensitivity, factor structure, scoring, and thresholds. Interviews with patients and clinicians also assessed content validity, utility, and meaningfulness of RA-FQ scores.Results. People with RA in observational trials in Canada (n = 896) and France (n = 138), and an RCT in the Netherlands (n = 178) completed 5 items (11-point numerical rating scale) representing RA Flare core domains. There was moderate to high evidence of reliability, content and construct validity, and responsiveness. Factor analysis supported unidimensionality. Rasch analysis showed acceptable fit to the Rasch model, with items and people covering a broad measurement continuum and evidence of appropriate targeting of items to people, ordered thresholds, minimal differential item functioning by language, sex, or age. A summative score across items is defensible, yielding an interval score (0–50) where higher scores reflect worsening flare. The RA-FQ received endorsement from 88% of attendees that it passed the OMERACT Filter 2.0 “Eyeball Test” for instrument selection.Conclusion. The RA-FQ has been developed to identify and measure RA flares. Its review through OMERACT Filter 2.0 shows evidence of reliability, content and construct validity, and responsiveness. These properties merit its further validation as an outcome for clinical trials.