Scale-Description

The Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2 (AIMS2-78) is a tool designed to assess the impact of arthritis on patients’ lives, considering various dimensions of health. AIMS2 is the updated version of the original AIMS and includes 78 questions. These questions cover a wide range of areas affected by arthritis, such as:
Physical condition: Difficulty in movement and daily activities.
Pain: Intensity and frequency of pain.
Social function: The impact of the disease on social interactions and activities.
Emotional state: Mental health and emotional well-being.
Work function: The ability to continue working despite arthritis.
Satisfaction with treatment: Patients’ satisfaction with the treatments they receive.

Data Analysis and Usage

Data analysis from AIMS2 can be performed in various ways, depending on the study’s objective. Both overall scores and individual scores for each of the dimensions covered by the questionnaire can be calculated. This analysis may include:
Descriptive statistics: Mean, median, and standard deviation of scores in each dimension.
Comparative analysis: Comparing scores between different groups of patients (e.g., by gender, age, type of arthritis).
Correlation analysis: Studying the correlations between the different dimensions of AIMS2 or comparing them with other health and quality of life indicators.

Purpose

The primary purpose of AIMS2-78 is to provide a comprehensive assessment of how arthritis affects individuals’ lives, considering not only physical but also psychosocial impacts. Researchers and clinicians use this tool to evaluate the progression of the disease, the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions, and the overall well-being of patients with arthritis.

Calibration

The calibration of AIMS2 is done using a Likert scale, with questions asking patients to rate their experience with arthritis over the past 4 weeks. Scores typically range from 1 (no problem) to 5 (severe problem), depending on the nature of the question. Individual scores in each dimension can be summed to derive overall scores, with higher scores indicating a greater burden from arthritis.

Bibliography

Meenan, R. F., Gertman, P. M., & Mason, J. H. (1980). Measuring health status in arthritis: The Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 23(2), 146-152.
Meenan, R. F., Kazis, L. E., & Anderson, J. J. (1982). The stability and sensitivity to change of a health status instrument in arthritis. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 25(10), 1048-1053.
Meenan, R. F., Mason, J. H., Anderson, J. J., Guccione, A. A., & Kazis, L. E. (1992). AIMS2: The content and properties of a revised and expanded Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales health status questionnaire. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 35(1), 1-10.
Guccione, A. A., Meenan, R. F., & Anderson, J. J. (1994). The AIMS2: Applications to clinical trials and clinical care. Arthritis Care and Research, 7(1), 1-8.