Short-form Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2: Tests of reliability andvalidity among patients with osteoarthritis

Objective. To validate a short-form Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales 2 ( AIMS2-SF) among 147 patients with osteoarthritis (OA), Methods. We used factor analysis to identify domains of functional health a ssociated with OA. Multitrait scaling analysis sr as used to evaluate the r eliability and validity of the AIMS2-SF. Results. The results suggested that upper body limitations should be distin guished from lower body limitations in the physical function scale. The AIM S2-SF was psychometrically sound, with all 5 scales having high item-discri minant validity and Cronbach's alpha reliability above the 0.70 criterion ( except 0.67 for the social function scale). Conclusion. The AIMS2-SF is a reliable and valid instrument among patients with OA. Because of its simplicity and ease of application, it may be usefu l in routine evaluation of health status, in clinical research, and in pred icting use of medical services among OA patients.