Generic versus disease specific health status measures: comparing the sickness impact profile and the arthritis impact measurement scales.
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.
Weinberger
M
M
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Durham, NC 27705.
Samsa
G P
GP
Tierney
W M
WM
Belyea
M J
MJ
Hiner
S L
SL
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001168:Arthritis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies