A validation study of the Taiwanese version of the assessment of spondyoarthritis international society health index

Objective: The objective is to validate the Assessment of SpondyloArthritis International Society Health Index (ASAS HI) in patients with Spondyloarthritis (SpA). Methods: We recruited 102 consecutive patients with SpA from two rheumatology clinics. Demographic data was collected. Recruited patients completed the ASAS HI and other self-assessment questionnaires (Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Global Index (BASGI), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Short Form (36) Health Survey (SF-36), Euro-quality-of-life-5D (EQ5D), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment questionnaire (WPAI)). Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) was calculated. Correlations between ASAS HI and the questionnaires were determined for concurrent validity. The ASAS HI score was also checked for test-retest reliability, internal consistency, discriminative ability, and floor and ceiling effects. Results: The ASAS HI achieved good test-retest reliability (ICC 0.87), internal consistency, and discriminative ability. It had no floor or ceiling effect. Favourable concurrent validity was found with measures of disease activities (BASDAI, ASDAS), quality-of-life (SF 36, EQ5D), psychological symptoms (HADS), and work disability (WAPI). The ASAS HI was able to differentiate higher disease activity and psychological symptoms. Patients found it easy to understand, comprehensive, relevant and appropriate to their disease. The average time needed to complete the questionnaire was 2 minutes 36 seconds ± 1 minute 2 seconds. Conclusion: The Taiwanese version of the ASAS HI is a validated tool in the assessment of health status in patients with SpA.