Comparison of AIMS2-SF, WOMAC, x-ray and a global physician assessment in order to approach quality of life in patients suffering from osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) substantially affects quality of life (QoL). The aim of the study was to reveal possible factors that influence general practitioners' (GPs) assessment of patients' QoL. Two hundred and twenty primary care patients with OA of the knee or the hip treated by their general practitioner for at least one year were included. All GPs were asked to assess patients' QoL based on patient history, actual examination, and existing x-rays by means of a visual analog scale (VAS). Patients were asked to complete the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale2 Short Form (AIMS2-SF) questionnaire. Significant correlations were revealed between GP assessment and the AIMS2-SF scales "physical" and "symptom" as well as with the "pain" scale of the WOMAC. A multivariate ordinal regression analysis revealed only the AIMS2-SF "symptom" scale and the x-ray grading according to Kellgren and Lawrence as significant influence variables. The results suggest that physician assessment of patient QoL is mainly dominated by physical factors such as pain and severity of x-ray findings and that socioeconomic and psychosocial factors, which have a substantial impact on QoL, are underestimated or missed. The researchers comment that overestimating x-ray findings, known to be less correlated to QoL, may cause over-treatment while important and promising targets to increase patients' QoL are missed. Rosemann TT, Joos SS, Koerner TT, Szecsenyi JJ, Laux GG. Adapted from BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2006 Jan 26;7(1):6.

Read more: PMID 16438717