Short summary

This is a validation study of the Danish version of the Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multi-Dimensional Questionnaire (BRAF-MDQ) and BRAF Numerical Rating Scale version 2 (NRSv2) (BRAFs) for patients with non-inflammatory diseases/conditions. BRAFs will be tested in a cross-sectional study involving patients associated with the Danish Rheumatism Hospital and the three Sano rehabilitation centres in Aaruhs, Middelfart and Skaelskoer.

Rationale

For patients with non-inflammatory rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs), such as fibromyalgia syndrome, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, chronic pain and hypermobility, fatigue is a frequently reported symptom. Fatigue is described as an unpredictable, and debilitating symptom that affects daily functioning and quality of life (QoL). Awareness and management of fatigue is lacking in usual care across these patient groups. Fatigue is an important outcome both in practice and in research. Fatigue is evaluated using a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM). A PROM must be valid and reliable to be useful in research or practice. Using the same fatigue questionnaire for patients with various RMDs is beneficial. It allows for the comparison of fatigue levels across different patient groups and helps evaluate the effectiveness of different treatments. Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20) is a commonly used generic PROM to measure fatigue, while Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Multi-Dimensional Questionnaire (BRAF-MDQ) and Bristol Rheumatoid Arthritis Fatigue Numerical Rating Scales (BRAF-NRS v2) (BRAFs) are used to measure fatigue in the patients with inflammatory arthritis. Therefore, we will investigate whether the BRAFs are valid and reliable in patients with non-inflammatory RMDs. Secondly, we will compare the psychometric properties of the MFI-20 and the BRAFs to assess the most appropriate to use in patients with non-inflammatory RMDs.

Description of the cohort

Patients, who are admitted or going to be admitted for rehabilitation at the Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases or one of the three Sano Rehabilitation centres.

Data and biological material

Questionnaires

Collaborating researchers and departments

The Danish Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases

• Kirsten Knak
• Jette Primdahl
• Ann Bremander
• Christina Tvede Madsen
• Emma Dures

Sano Rehabilitation center, Skælskør

• Kamilla Holt