Adult Measures of Quality of Life
The Arthritis Impact Measurement Scales (AIMS/AIMS2), Disease Repercussion
Profile (DRP), EuroQoL, Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), Patient Generated
Index (PGI), Quality of Well-Being Scale (QWB), RAQoL, Short Form-36 (SF-36),
Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), SIP-RA, and World Health Organization’s Quality
of Life Instruments (WHOQoL, WHOQoL-100, WHOQoL-Bref)
Alison Carr
ARTHRITIS IMPACT MEASUREMENT
SCALES (AIMS/AIMS2)
General Description
Purpose. Disease-specific measure of physical,
social, and emotional well-being designed as a
measure of outcome in arthritis (1).
Content. There are 9 scales: mobility, physical
activity (walking, bending, lifting), dexterity,
household activity (managing money and
medications, housekeeping), social activities,
activities of daily living, pain, depression, and
anxiety. AIMS2 includes arm function, social
support, and work.
Developer/contact information. AIMS was
developed by Robert F. Meenan, Dean, Boston
University School of Public Health, 715 Albany St.,
T-C-306, Boston, MA 02118. E-mail: rmeenan@
bu.edu.
Versions. There is an original version, shortened
version, an expanded version (AIMS2), a short-
form of the AIMS2 (AIMS2-SF), a child version,
and a version for the elderly (Geri-AIMS). AIMS
has been translated into many languages including
Portuguese, Canadian French, Italian, Spanish,
French, Dutch, Swedish, Turkish, and Norwegian.
Number of items in scale. AIMS 45, Shortened
AIMS 18, AIMS2 101, and AIMS2-SF 26.
Subscales. AIMS 9 (listed above); shortened
AIMS 9; AIMS2 12.
Populations. Developmental/target. Developed
in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and
osteoarthritis to assess the outcome of health care.
Other uses. AIMS has been used in other
conditions including: psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing
spondylitis, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome,
colles fracture, hemophilia and in patients
undergoing joint replacement surgery. A 1-page
summary of results has been developed for use in
clinical practice.
WHO ICF Components. Activity limitation,
Participation restriction.
Administration
Method. Self-administered and relatively easy to
complete.
Training. None required.
Time to administer/complete. AIMS 15 minutes,
Shortened AIMS 6 – 8 minutes, AIMS2 20 –30
minutes, AIMS2-SF 10 minutes.
Equipment needed. None.
Availability/cost. Available with user manual
from Dr. Meenan (contact information above). Also
available at http://www.qolid.org. (Click on free
access/disease-specific measures/rheumatology/
AIMS2/public domain access/copy of original
Alison Carr, MSc, PhD: University of Nottingham, United
Kingdom.
Address correspondence to Alison Carr, MSc, PhD, Spe-
cial Lecturer in Musculoskeletal Epidemiology, University
of Nottingham, Academic Rheumatology Clinical Sciences
Building, City Hospital, Nottingham, NG5 1PB, UK. E-mail:
hughesmd@btinternet.com.
Submitted for publication June 9, 2003; accepted June 19,
2003.
Arthritis & Rheumatism (Arthritis Care & Research)
Vol. 49, No. 5S, October 15, 2003, pp S113–S133
DOI 10.1002/art.11414
© 2003, American College of Rheumatology
MEASURES OF QUALITY OF LIFE
S113