Table 1.

Supporting evidence from at least 3 studies for the most frequently applied instruments for evaluation of pain, physical function or patient global assessment. From Visser, et al. J Rheumatol (manuscript submitted)14.

ReliabilitySensitivity to ChangeFeasibilityValidity
Questionnaires
  AUSCAN++−#+
  FIHOA+++**+
  VAS pain++
Performance-/assessor-based instruments
  Grip strength+*++
  Pinch strength+*++
  Tenderness/pain on palpation+*++*

  • + Established evidence;

  • ↵* supporting evidence in only 2 studies;

  • ↵** supporting evidence in only 1 study;

  • ↵# not available in public domain. AUSCAN: Australian/Canadian Hand OA Index; FIHOA: Functional Index for Hand Osteoarthritis; VAS: visual analog scale; OA: osteoarthritis.