A DUTCH VERSION OF THE FUNCTIONAL INDEX FOR ANKYLOSING SPONDYLITIS: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION IN A LONG-TERM STUDY

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A Dutch Functional Index (DFI) for AS has been developed, containing 37 questions in essence this is a modification of a French index with additional questions. Internal consistency, reproducibility, criterion and construct validity and sensitivity to change were studied in different groups of AS patients. In a group of 149 patients the questionnaire was completed and internal consistency calculated (Cronbach's α = 0.94) after exclusion of three items. Reproducibility was studied in 39 patients with stable disease; Pearson correlation was 0.94. Criterion validity, against a ‘gold standard’ i.e. experts' observation of 25 items, was studied in 19 patients;r = 0.85. In a 48-week NSAID study patients were enrolled after a washout period: DFI scores before and after treatment showed significant improvement (P<0.02). There were 187 DFI with corresponding clinical measurements, correlations varied from –0.30 to 0.68. Estimated measurement-remeasurement correlation was 0.87. The DFI is, thus, a potentially useful instrument, which is valid, reliable and sensitive to the effects of NSAID treatment.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: