Update on functional assessment tools

In recent years, there has been a tremendous growth in the development of m easurement instruments that evaluate health status, functional status, disa bility, and quality of life in adults with rheumatic diseases. In the past decade, similar measures have been developed for application in children wi th rheumatic diseases. These include the Childhood Arthritis Impact Measure ment Scales (CHAIMS), the Childhood Health Assessment Questionnaire (CHAQ), the Juvenile Arthritis Functional Assessment Report (JAFAR), the Juvenile Arthritis Self-report Index (JASI), the juvenile Arthritis Quality of Life Questionnaire (JAQQ), and the Childhood Arthritis Health Profile (CAHP). Th e latter 2 instruments assess health related quality of life (HRQOL) and th ey are discussed here. The need to adapt this kind of instrument for use in an international climate creates an interesting dilemma and this is discus sed.