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[Functional outcome in rheumatoid arthritis patients]

P Perić1, B Curković, D Babić-Naglić

  • 1Klinika za reumatske bolesti i rehabilitaciju, KBC Rebro, Zagreb, Kispatićeva 12.

Reumatizam
|October 18, 2007
PubMed

Insights

The Stanford Health Assessment (HAQ) is a valid tool for assessing rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disability in Croatia. Minor terminology adjustments enhance its usability for patients.

Area of Science:

  • Rheumatology
  • Health Assessment Tools
  • Disability Measurement

Context:

  • Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) poses significant disability challenges.
  • Accurate disability assessment is crucial for RA patient management.
  • The Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) is a widely used tool.

Purpose:

  • To validate and adapt the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) for the Croatian population with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
  • To evaluate the HAQ's usability, scoring simplicity, and time efficiency in a clinical setting.
  • To identify and address potential terminology and scoring ambiguities within the HAQ.

Summary:

  • The study involved 101 Croatian patients with RA, assessing disability using the HAQ.
  • Patients completed the HAQ, with some receiving prior instructions and others interviewed by a rheumatologist.
  • Results indicated the HAQ is user-friendly, easy to score, and time-efficient, though minor modifications improved clarity, particularly for scores 1 and 2.

Impact:

  • The adapted HAQ is suitable for assessing RA disability in Croatia, requiring minimal terminology changes.
  • The study highlights the HAQ's potential for routine clinical use in RA patient monitoring.
  • Proposed modifications enhance the HAQ's precision in capturing patient-reported functional status.

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