Evaluation of a Dutch version of the AIMS2 for patients with rheumatoid arthritis

DUTCH-AIMS2, a Dutch version of AIMS2 and successor to DUTCH-AIMS, is an instrument to assess health status among patients with rheumatic diseases. It provides measurements of 12 areas of health status on scales for health status proper, satisfaction, attribution and arthritis impact. We assessed the reliability of its scales in terms of internal consistency and their validity according to both internal standards and external standards. Correctly completed questionnaires were returned by 231 RA patients and 131 controls. Internal consistency coefficients for the health status scales ranged from 0.66 and 0.89, but most exceeded 0.80. Within-scale factor analyses produced single factors in all composite health status scales for both patients and controls, with only two exceptions. Factor analysis also identified a physical, social and psychological dimension among 11 areas of health. External validity was established by strong correlations between DUTCH-AIMS2 health status scales and functional class, laboratory parameters, and self-assessments of fatigue, loneliness, pain, functional disability and social support. DUTCH-AIMS2 is acceptably reliable and valid for use in a variety of settings.