Evaluation of a Hebrew version of the revised and expanded arthritis impact measurement scales (AIMS2) in patients with fibromyalgia

Objective. To validate a translated version of the revised and expanded Art hritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS2) to be used by Hebrew speaking popu lations. Methods. The AIMS2 was translated into Hebrew and administered to 66 women with fibromyalgia (FM) along with the Hebrew versions of the Fibromyalgia I mpact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the Quality of Life (QOL) Scale. All subjects were asked about the presence and severity (assessed by visual analog scal e) of FM symptoms (pain, fatigue, anxiety, etc.); a count of 18 tender poin ts was conducted by thumb palpation, and tenderness thresholds were measure d by dolorimetry. Test-retest reliability was assessed by Pearson correlati on coefficients, and internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach's alp ha coefficient of reliability. Construct validity was tested by correlating the AIMS2 items with measures of symptom severity, count of tender points, tenderness thresholds, physical functioning measured by FIQ, and with a sc ore of QOL. Results. Test-retest reliability coefficients ranged from 0.84 to 0.99, and Cronbach's alpha coefficients from 0.74 to 0.93. Significant moderate to h igh correlations were obtained between the AIMS2 subscales (except self-car e) and measures of physical functioning, quality of life, severity of FM sy mptoms, and number of tender points. Conclusion. The AIMS2 is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring heal th status and physical functioning in Israeli women with FM.