Employment perspectives of patients with ankylosing spondylitis

Objectives: To assess the labour market position of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in relation to disease duration and to identify potential factors in relation to withdrawal from the labour force. Methods: A cross sectional mail survey was conducted among 658 patients with AS. Participation in the labour force was defined as having a...

Development and validation of the observation list for early signs of dementia (OLD)

Objective: Development and validation of a short Observation List of possible early signs of Dementia (OLD) for use in general practice. Design: Stepwise development using reviews of publications and expert consensus. Field study for evaluation of reliability. Validation study (interviews, family forms) using existing valid and reliable measures...

Polytomous Rasch analysis as a tool for revision of the severity of disability code of the ICIDH

Purpose: To develop a preliminary proposal for the revision of the severity code of the ICIDH-D 1980. Method: Quantitative analysis (polytomous Rasch analysis) of linked existing data sources including items about walking and dressing disability. Results: The Rasch analysis provided estimates of threshold parameters for walking and dressing item...

Labour force participation among patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Objectives - To assess work history and labour force participation among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (IRA) in the Netherlands, Method - A random sample of 1056 patients with RA aged 16-59 years from 17 rheumatology practices in the Netherlands was examined. Data on disease status and outcome were obtained by a questionnaire including...

Dietary assessment in the elderly: Application of a two-step semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire for epidemiological studies

Objective: Description and application of an adapted semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire (SFFQ) for dietary assessment in the elderly population of the Rotterdam Study. Design: Dietary assessment consisting of a two-step approach was performed in 5434 participants (2225 men, 3029 women) of the Rotterdam Study from 1990 to 1993, a...