Methods: One hundred twenty two rheumatoid arthritis patients were consecutively included in the study. Test-retest reliability was assessed in 61 patients based on the intra-class correlation coefficient.
Results: for the 122 patients (104 female and 18 male) the median age was 47 years (18-70). The mean age of the patients who filled in the questionnaire at test and retest times was 45 years (18-70). Test- retest reliability of the HAQ was 0.84. Internal consistency was 0.94. There was a good correlation between the HAQ and the Lee index (r = 0.75, p <10(-4)), the HAQ and the RAQoL (rs = 0.96, p <10(-4)). In a logistic regression model Lee index, RAQoL and age account for the variance of the HAQ.
Conclusion: The Tunisian version of the HAQ preserves the metrological properties of the original version and can be used for measuring and following functional abilities of Tunisian rheumatoid arthritis patients.