Patient-reported outcome in psoriatic arthritis: a comparison of Web-based versus paper-completed questionnaires

Patients followed in observational cohorts often complete patient-reported outcomes on paper questionnaires. With advances in technology, Web-based (WB) formats have been developed. The aims of our study were to determine whether WB and paper-based questionnaires (PB) completed by patients followed in the psoriatic arthritis (PsA) clinic are comparable; whether there is a patient preference for one method or the other; and whether any preference is related to patient characteristics.

Consecutive patients followed at the PsA clinic completed the Health Assessment Questionnaire, Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36, fatigue scale, Dermatology Life Quality Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index, Ankylosing Spondylitis Quality of Life Instrument, and EQ-5D both on paper (PB) and on computer by Internet (WB). Patients were also asked to complete questionnaires regarding their preference for one method or the other. Descriptive statistics and interclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated.

Of 110 patients who agreed to participate, 67 (57.3%) successfully completed both PB and WB questionnaires. These patients did not differ from those who did not complete the questionnaires. WB and PB questionnaires took the same length of time to complete, with 20% of the patients complaining of more pain following completion of the questionnaires, more so with the PB. There was excellent agreement between the PB and WB (ICC 0.89-0.97) for all questionnaires.

The PB and WB versions of 10 standardized self-administered questionnaires in patients with PsA were comparable. The WB format was well accepted by PsA outpatients. Patients may thus be offered a choice of format as well as the choice to complete the questionnaires either in the clinic or remotely by Internet.