title: A web-compatible instrument for measuring self-reported disease activity in arthritis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe a Web-based computer health assessment survey for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to evaluate the survey in comparison with current paper versions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Utilizing data from a study on RA, we compared results from 43 patients attending a university-based clinic who were each given a paper and a demonstration computer version of a patient self-assessment questionnaire including multiple-choice questions from a multi-dimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ); visual analog scales (VAS) for pain, fatigue, and global disease severity; and a tender and swollen joint count reporting tool. Patients were given optional followup surveys to determine their opinion of the computer program.
  
  
  RESULTS
  High correlations (intraclass correlation coefficient > 0.9) were seen across methods for the 10-item HAQ and psychological distress scores and the VAS scores for pain and global disease severity. Moderate correlation was observed for the self-efficacy scores, the VAS scores for fatigue, and tender joint counts. The data also revealed a small shift in the mean scores for the HAQ and self-efficacy questions, with patients reporting slightly higher scores on the computer instrument. Overall, patient opinions of the uniquely designed joint count tool were good, with 71% of responding patients answering favorably.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Web-based computer versions of patient self-assessment surveys in RA are comparable to paper versions, and their use in clinics or over the Internet could dramatically facilitate the ability of physicians to monitor patients' health.
authors.affiliation: Health Services Research and Development, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, Veterans Medical Research Foundation, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), California 92161, USA.
authors.forename: Ninad
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Athale
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sturley
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Skoczen
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kavanaugh
authors.forename: Leslie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lenert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012984:Software