RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Health-Related Quality of Life: Validity, Reliability, and Responsiveness of SF-36, EQ-15D, EQ-5D, RAQoL, and HAQ in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP 1528 OP 1537 VO 35 IS 8 A1 LOUISE LINDE A1 JAN SØRENSEN A1 MIKKEL ØSTERGAARD A1 KIM HØRSLEV-PETERSEN A1 MERETE LUND HETLAND YR 2008 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/35/8/1528.abstract AB Objective To compare validity, reliability, and responsiveness of generic and disease specific health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instruments in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Two samples of patients completed the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36), EuroQol (EQ)-5D, 15D, Rheumatoid Arthritis Quality of Life Scale (RAQoL), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain, fatigue, and global RA. Validity (convergent, discriminant, and known-groups) was evaluated in a cross-section of 200 patients. Reliability was evaluated by agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient; baseline to 2 weeks) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha); and responsiveness by the standardized response mean stratified on improvement, status quo, or deterioration in health status after 6 months in 150 patients followed longitudinally. Followup questionnaires (at 2 weeks and 6 months) included questions about changes in health status since baseline. Results The cross-sectional sample included 77% women, median age 57 years (range 19–87), disease duration 6 years (0–58), with Disease Activity Score 28-joint count (DAS28) of 3.10 (1.21–6.47). The longitudinal sample included 80% women, median age 60 years (22–82). Validity: all instruments discriminated between low, moderate, and high DAS28. Reliability: RAQoL and HAQ displayed good repeatability (ICC > 0.95) and internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.90). Responsiveness: SF-36 bodily pain scale and VAS pain were responsive to both improvement and deterioration. Conclusion All instruments were valid measures for HRQOL in RA. The RAQoL and HAQ displayed the best reliability, while the SF-36 bodily pain scale and VAS pain were the most responsive. The choice of instrument should depend on the study objectives.