VALIDITY OF SELF-REPORTED RHEUMATOID-ARTHRITIS IN ELDERLY WOMEN

Objective. To determine the validity of a self-reported physician diag nosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in elderly women. Methods. Women wi th self-reported RA were contacted and permission requested to contact their physician. Physicians were mailed a questionnaire requesting in formation on the subject's arthritic condition. Hand radiographs obtai ned at study entry were read for changes of RA. Results. The self-repo rted diagnosis of RA could be confirmed in 26 (21%) individuals. Concl usion. The positive predictive value of self-reported RA was low in th is cohort. Caution needs to be exercised in the use and interpretation of self-report data concerning arthritic conditions in epidemiologic studies.