Outcome measures useful to physiotherapists working with patients with rheumatoid arthritis

This paper discusses outcome measures suitable for use by physiotherapists working with patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The measures have been successfully used in clinical practice, audit and research in the area of rheumatology and with other chronic diseases. Together, they provide comprehensive measurement of the disease. Both objective and patient-reported measures are included. The tools are as follows: grip strength, a visual analogue scale to measure pain, a timed walk test, the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale 2, the Schedule for the Evaluation of Individual Quality of Life and the Quality of Life Index. The tools have been found to be easy to administer and are suitable for clinical use. They provide an effective means of evaluating treatment in both short and long term settings, making them ideal measures for a chronic disease.