Impact of QoL Questionnaires Among Patients With Nonradiographic Axial Spondyloarthritis

Among patients with nonradiographic axial spondyloarthritis (nraxSpA) or ankylosing spondylitis (AS), quality of life (QoL) questionnaires were validated and deemed reliable in assessing QoL concerns, according to findings published in Health and Quality of Life Outcomes.

Data was extracted from 7 databases and included randomized controlled, cohort, and cross-sectional trials. Test-retest reliability and construct validity were primary outcomes and internal consistency, structural validity, and responsiveness were secondary outcomes.

A total of 3085 participants were enrolled in cross-sectional studies from 22 publications containing 10-self rating instruments. Moderate to high test-retest reliability was included in 19 studies.

For overall scales, Cronbach’s alpha (α) Coefficients were generally high (0.79-0.97), noted researchers.

The strongest measurement properties in high-quality studies were found in the ASQoL and evaluation of AS QoL (EASi-QoL) questionnaires.

For the ASQoL questionnaire the correlation coefficient for test-reliability was 0.85 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.89).

In both the ASQoL and EASI-QoL questionnaires, the pooled Cronbach’s α coefficients were high.

According to study authors, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) were considered validity criteria.

Pooled convergent validity associations with BASDAI and BASFI were low to strong (0.24-0.81) for both questionnaires.

“The ASQOL and the EASi-QoL questionnaires are validated and reliable disease-specific questionnaires for the assessment of QoL in patients with AS/nraxSpA,” concluded study authors.

Reference:
He Q, Luo J, Chen J, et al. The validity and reliability of quality of life questionnaires in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Health Qual Life Outcomes. 2022;20(1):116. doi:10.1186/s12955-022-02026-5