OBJECTIVE
To measure the agreement between computer and paper-administered versions of Bath ankylosing spondylitis (AS) questionnaires and the Quebec Scale for low back pain (LBP).
METHODS
Fifty patients with LBP completed the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Functional Index (BASFI), Global Score (BAS-G), and the Quebec Scale. Outcome measures were administered both in traditional paper format and by computerized touch-screen system. The order of completion was randomly assigned to each participant. The length of time required to complete each set of questionnaires was recorded and a "washout" period of at least 40 minutes was ensured between completion of the first and second set of outcome measures.
RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference in completion time between the 2 methods of administration. A small systematic difference between computer and paper-administered versions was observed in the Quebec Scale and in the BAS-G results. However, there was a high degree of agreement between paper and computer-administered versions of the Quebec Scale, the BASDAI, BASFI, and BAS-G. Out of the 50 subjects, 84% indicated a preference for the computer-administered method.
CONCLUSION
The Bath AS questionnaires and the Quebec Scale can be reliably administered by a computerized touch-screen system. Given the ease of data integration and analysis supported by computer-administered versions of these outcome measures, their excellent reliability, and their popularity among study participants, the computerized versions of the BASDAI, BASFI, BAS-G, and Quebec Scale seem preferable to the traditional paper format.