OBJECTIVE: This study reassessed the psychometric performance of the 11-item CSHQ-RA Short Form using a representative population of RA patients from 55 sites across the US. METHODS: 307 of 309 screened patients from a 24-week multicenter, open-label, single arm study of RA patients receiving anakinra completed the CSHQ-RA, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (MOS SF-36) and the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index. Data at screening and baseline were used to examine the convergent validity, discriminant validity, internal consistency, and test-retest reliability. Convergent validity was tested, using Pearson's correlations, by comparing total score on the CSHQ-RA to those from the Mental and Physical Component Summary (MCS and PCS) of the MOS SF-36 and HAQ. ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to assess the discriminant validity of the CSHQ-RA. Internal consistency was measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS: Response rate at baseline was 95% (291). 81% of respondents were female; mean age was 52 years (± 12); mean duration with RA was 10.8 years (± 10.4). Mean scores were CSHQ-RA Short Form 68.0 (± 16.0), MCS 37.9 (± 10.9), PCS 31.2 (± 8.3), and HAQ 1.5 (± 0.7). Pearson's correlations with MCS, PCS, and HAQ were -0.69, -0.70, and 0.76 (P <0.0001), respectively, demonstrating good convergent validity. The difference in scores on the CSHQ-RA Short Form of patients with different levels of physical disability as measured by the HAQ was statistically significant (P <0.0001). Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.89, indicating good internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was great with ICC equal to 0.94. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study support the validity and reliability of the 11-item CSHQ-RA Short Form as a measure that captures the impact of RA on patients' quality of life. Research to assess responsiveness and clinically significant change of the CSHQ-RA is under way.