title: Generic versus disease specific health status measures: comparing the sickness impact profile and the arthritis impact measurement scales.
abstract: Health services researchers frequently must choose between a generic health status measure, such as the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) and a disease specific health status measure, such as the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS). In a longitudinal study of patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis, we examined the extent to which these 2 measures provide similar information. We found the SIP and AIMS to be significantly (p less than 0.001) correlated for physical (0.75-0.76) and total health (0.70-0.73). Correlations for psychological health were statistically significant, albeit modest (0.37-0.40). We conclude that, for most dimensions, investigators will obtain similar information using either well validated instrument.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weinberger
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Samsa
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Tierney
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Belyea
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Hiner
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001168:Arthritis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies