BASFI Function Index — SCE Rheumatology MCQ
Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.
Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: D — Physical function
BASFI is a patient-reported measure of physical function in axial spondyloarthritis. It contains 10 items: eight addressing specific functional tasks and two assessing the ability to cope with everyday activities. The item scores are averaged to produce a score from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating greater functional limitation. Disease activity is assessed using BASDAI or ASDAS, making option B incorrect. Structural spinal damage is evaluated radiographically, commonly with the modified Stoke Ankylosing Spondylitis Spinal Score (mSASSS), rather than BASFI. ESR and CRP assess systemic inflammation. Spinal mobility is assessed using BASMI; although impaired mobility can contribute to poor function, BASFI is not a metrology index.
Reference: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. TA383: TNF-alpha inhibitors for treating active ankylosing spondylitis and non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis, section 2, Clinical need and practice. 2016. https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta383/chapter/2-clinical-need-and-practice