Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 22, 2026
06:28
Biomechanical Changes Related to Low Back Pain: An Innovative Tool for Movement Pattern Assessment and Treatment Evaluation in Rehabilitation
Published on: December 13, 2024
Reducing work disability in Ankylosing Spondylitis: development of a work instability scale for AS
Gill Gilworth1, Paul Emery, Nick Barkham
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Section of Musculoskeletal Disease, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK. gilworths@aol.com
BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders
|June 18, 2009
Summary
A new scale, the Ankylosing Spondylitis Work Instability Scale (AS-WIS), effectively identifies individuals with Ankylosing Spondylitis at risk of work disability. This validated tool aids in early intervention to prevent job loss.
Area of Science:
- Rheumatology
- Occupational Health
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Work instability, a mismatch between employee abilities and job demands, impacts individuals with chronic conditions.
- The existing Work Instability Scale for Rheumatology Arthritis (RA-WIS) is used to identify patients at risk of job loss.
- Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) presents unique challenges to maintaining employment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the concept of work instability in Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS).
- To develop and validate a specific Work Instability Scale for AS patients.
Main Methods:
- A draft AS-WIS was created by combining new items with existing RA-WIS items.
- Rasch analysis was employed to assess the psychometric properties of the AS-WIS using survey data.
- The scale's reliability was evaluated through test-retest surveys and validated against expert assessments.
Main Results:
- Thirty-eight of 55 initial items fit the Rasch model and were unbiased by gender or disease duration.
- Following analysis against gold standards, 20 items demonstrated good fit to the Rasch model.
- The AS-WIS exhibited strong test-retest reliability (0.94).
Conclusions:
- The AS-WIS is a reliable, self-administered screening tool for identifying work instability in AS patients.
- It helps pinpoint individuals at risk of job retention issues and work disability.
- The AS-WIS may serve as a valuable outcome measure, potentially guiding the use of biologics in AS management.
