Sensitivity of a Dutch Health Assessment Questionnaire in a trial comparing hydroxychloroquine vs. sulphasalazine

To measure health status in Dutch rheumatoid arthritis patients, we have translated and revised the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and added questions about psychosocial status from the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS). The resultant questionnaire turned out to be reproducible and valid. In a double-blind trial comparing Hydroxychloroquine and Sulphasalazine, after 48 weeks the Physical Disability score showed a significant difference in favour of the Sulphasalazine group, reflecting the smaller deterioration in radiographic damage in this group. Thus the Physical Disability part of the questionnaire is sensitive to difference between two slow-acting anti-rheumatic drugs.