Development and Validation of a Self-Administered Questionnaire Measuring Essential Knowledge in Patients With Axial...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Patient Education
• Health Outcomes Measurement

Background:

• Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) requires comprehensive patient understanding for effective management.
• Existing tools may not adequately assess patient knowledge across all essential domains of axSpA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a reliable and reproducible patient knowledge questionnaire for axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA).
• To create a tool that reflects current axSpA management recommendations and aids in assessing patient education effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• Essential knowledge areas were identified via Delphi rounds involving rheumatologists, healthcare professionals (HCPs), and patients.
• A cross-sectional validation study in 14 rheumatology departments assessed internal validity, reproducibility, and sensitivity to change using the Spondyloarthritis Knowledge Questionnaire (SPAKE).

Main Results:

• The SPAKE, available in long (42-item) and short (32-item) forms, demonstrated good internal validity (0.85) and reproducibility (0.81).
• Scores indicated better knowledge in nonpharmacological treatments and adaptive skills, but lower knowledge in cardiovascular comorbidity and pharmacological treatments.
• SPAKE showed significant sensitivity to change, with scores increasing substantially after patient education sessions (effect size = 0.92).

Conclusions:

• The Spondyloarthritis Knowledge Questionnaire (SPAKE) is a validated tool for assessing patient knowledge in axSpA.
• SPAKE's development involved patient and HCP input, ensuring relevance to current axSpA management guidelines.
• This questionnaire is valuable for evaluating knowledge acquisition and supporting self-management in clinical practice and research.