Validation of a risk perception questionnaire developed for patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Background Risk perception is a multidimensional phenomenon that describes the individual’s judgment of the likelihood of experiencing something unpleasant. Risk perception helps to understand how rheumatoid arthritis patients perceive disease-related-risks. We developed and validated a risk perception questionnaire for Spanish speaking rheumatoid arthritis patients. Methods The questionnaire development and validation was performed in 3 steps, using respective convenience samples. Step-1 included the conceptual model construction, 20 patient’s interviews to identify components from the conceptual model-dimensions and 11 healthcare provider´s consultations who identified RA related manifestations/complications (network and frequencies analysis). Step-2 consisted of item generation and reduction and questionnaire feasibility (n = 100). Step-3 consisted of the questionnaire psychometric validation (n = 270), which included content, face, construct (exploratory factor analysis) and criterion validity (logistic regression analysis) and consistency and stability (Cronbach’s α and test-retest). Results Samples were representative of typical RA outpatients. Initial conceptual model included 7 dimensions, 3 for probability and 1 each, for responsibility, prevention, control and for severity (Step-1). The final version was considered feasible by the patients and included 27 items (Step-2). A five-factor model was most appropriated and resulted in 68.8% of the variance explained: Cronbach’s α = 0.90, intraclass-correlation-coefficient = 0.93 (95% CI = 0.90–0.95). A positive relation between number of external criteria from the charts and risk perception was found; all items had ≥80% agreement from experts; patients agreed about item´s semantic clarity (89%) and format adequacy (97%), (Step-3). Conclusions The risk perception questionnaire was valid and reliable to evaluate risk perception construct in RA outpatients; it can be incorporated to routine care and clinical research, and guide interventions to improve patient’s health behaviors.