To examine the sensitivity of the Quality of Well-Being Scale (QWB) as a measure of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in people with osteoarthritis (OA).
The QWB was administered, along with the Arthritis Impact Measurement Scale (AIMS) and other health measures. Health care utilization data were also obtained.
People with OA had a mean QWB score of 0.643. The QWB scores were significantly correlated with total AIMS scores, self-rated health status, health care costs, depression scores, and most AIMS subscales. In addition, changes in QWB scores after 1 year were significantly correlated with changes in total AIMS scores and some AIMS subscales.
The QWB appears to be a useful and sensitive generic, utility-based measure of HRQOL in people with OA.