Arthritis problem indicator: preliminary report on a new tool for use in the primary care setting

Improving the quality of life for people with rheumatic disease involves timely identification of problem areas and application of appropriate interventions. In response to a 1987 Commonwealth of Pennsylvania study, which reported a wide variety of unmet needs in arthritis patients and their families, the Arthritis Problem Indicator (API) was developed. It is a single-page, self-report, low-cost tool. A mixed rheumatology population (n = 50) and their primary care physicians participated in a pilot study. The study revealed that the seven most common areas of patient concern were pain, weight control, sleep, mobility/walking, activities of daily living, community access, and depression/anxiety. The physicians reported that the patient's answers on the API led them to initiate new treatment or referral for 32% of the patients. The physicians also stated that for 80% of the patients, the API was helpful in providing information about the patient. The API is easily interpreted by health professionals and designed to be an indicator of problem areas frequently associated with arthritis.