Patient-Reported Outcomes in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Contribution of the factors to EuroQol 5 Dimensions in rheumatoid arthritis patients achieving low disease activity/remission with abatacept treatment: Post hoc subgroup analyses of the Japanese real-world observational 'ORIGAMI' study

OBJECTIVES

To address improvements in quality of life, we analysed the relative contributions of factors to EuroQol 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) in abatacept-treated rheumatoid arthritis patients in the Orencia® Registry in Geographically Assembled Multicenter Investigation (ORIGAMI) study.

METHODS

Patients who were evaluable for disease activity through to  Week 52 in the ORIGAMI study were divided into those achieving Simplified Disease Activity Index-remission/low disease activity (remission/LDA; n = 178) and patients with moderate disease activity/high disease activity (MDA/HDA; n = 99). We compared the changes in EQ-5D and other outcomes through to Week 52. Focusing on the remission/LDA group, the contribution of each factor to the variance of EQ-5D at baseline and Week 52 was examined using analysis of variance.

RESULTS

The remission/LDA group showed greater improvements than the MDA/HDA group in EQ-5D, Japanese Health Assessment Questionnaire, visual analogue scale for pain (Pain VAS), and patient's global assessment (PtGA). In the remission/LDA group, factors significantly contributing to EQ-5D were sex, C-reactive protein, and Pain VAS at baseline, and PtGA and age at Week 52.

CONCLUSIONS

In rheumatoid arthritis patients who achieved remission/LDA during abatacept treatment, PtGA and age at Week 52 contribute to the variance of EQ-5D, suggesting that the identification of factors associated with PtGA may be important to address improvements in quality of life.

Critical importance of patient-reported outcomes for a comprehensive assessment of psoriatic arthritis patients

Introduction

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a heterogeneous, chronic inflammatory disease that negatively impacts patients' quality of life. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used to capture patient perspectives in disease assessment, and physicians use the Disease Activity Index for Psoriatic Arthritis (DAPSA) to evaluate disease activity in PsA. The study aimed to assess the relationship between PROMs and the DAPSA score in consecutive outpatients affected by PsA.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted from March 2018 to October 2020 at the PsA clinic of the ARNAS Civico in Palermo (Italy), enrolling outpatients with PsA. Patients were assessed for their disease activity according to the DAPSA score, and PROMs, such as PHQ-9, HAQ, FACIT-F, and PsAID, were evaluated. Linear regression analysis evaluated the relationship between the DAPSA Score and the included PROMs.

Results

158 PsA consecutive peripheral subset psoriatic arthritis outpatients were recruited. The median years of illness was 10.6 (9.3-11.9), and the median DAPSA score was 19.02 (9-33.1). The regression analysis highlighted a strong relationship between the DAPSA score and the PsAID (adjR2 26%, p < 0.0001), the FACIT-F (adjR2 25.4%, p < 0.0001), the HAQ (adjR2 23.7%, p < 0.0001), and PHQ-9 (adjR2 15%, p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

PROMs are strongly associated with the DAPSA score, but it allows in-depth evaluation of the impact of the disease on different domains of PsA patients' life.

Selecting patient-reported outcome measures of health-related quality of life in adult rheumatology: quality and breadth of coverage

Patient-centered research should assess outcomes important to patients and include patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) domains. Using a well-known HRQOL framework (World Health Organization QOL, or WHOQOL), we reviewed established PROMs used with adults with different types of arthritis to evaluate their HRQOL domain coverage and psychometric evidence to help PROM users select measures and determine whether other measures should be validated and/or developed. Nineteen PROMs and 92 corresponding articles were reviewed to determine which HRQOL domains were assessed. To support a streamlined but rigorous review, we used a rating system based on criteria established in part through existing rubrics (e.g., OMERACT COSMIN). Psychometric properties were rated on a scale from 1 to 18, where 18 was strongest. We examined the intersection between level of domain coverage and extent of psychometric support. Measures most commonly assessed physical health and level of independence, while fewer assessed social relations, environment, and psychological health. No measures assessed spirituality and religion, which may be relevant depending on intended use. PROMs with higher psychometric evidence tended to assess a broader range of HRQOL domains. Rubric scores ranged from 3 to 16, with an average of 9.3. Prominent and psychometrically sound PROMs are available that cover many of the WHOQOL domains. While gaps exist in the domain of spirituality, future work should focus on refining optimal use of existing PROMs relevant for arthritis versus developing new measures. We provide guidance on selecting PROMs, to that end.

Effects of Disease-Worsening Following Withdrawal of Etanercept or Methotrexate on Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results From the SEAM-RA Trial

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE

The effect of treatment withdrawal on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) whose disease is in sustained remission has not been well described. This analysis aimed to compare PRO changes in patients with RA following medication withdrawal and disease worsening.

METHODS

SEAM-RA (Study of Etanercept and Methotrexate in Combination or as Monotherapy in Subjects With Rheumatoid Arthritis) was a phase 3, multicenter, randomized withdrawal, double-blind controlled study in patients with RA taking methotrexate plus etanercept and in remission (Simple Disease Activity Index ≤3.3). Patient's Global Assessment of Disease Activity, Patient's Assessment of Joint Pain, Health Assessment Questionnaire-Disability Index, and 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey were evaluated for 48 weeks following methotrexate or etanercept withdrawal. Treatment differences for patients with versus without disease worsening were evaluated using a 2-sample t test for continuous end points and log-rank test for time-to-event end points.

RESULTS

Of 253 patients, 121 experienced disease worsening and 132 did not. All PRO scores were similar to those of a general population at baseline and deteriorated over time across the study population. The PtGA and Patient's Assessment of Joint Pain values deteriorated less in those on etanercept monotherapy compared with methotrexate monotherapy. More patients with versus without disease worsening experienced deterioration that was greater than the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) for all PROs tested. In patients with disease worsening, PtGA deterioration more than the MCID preceded Simple Disease Activity Index disease worsening.

CONCLUSIONS

Etanercept monotherapy showed benefit over methotrexate in maintaining PRO scores. Patients with disease worsening experienced a more rapid worsening of PtGA beyond the MCID versus patients without disease worsening.Categories: autoinflammatory disease, biological therapy, DMARDs, rheumatoid arthritis.

Patient Experienced Symptom State in rheumatoid arthritis: sensitivity to change in disease activity and impact

OBJECTIVES

The Patient Experienced Symptom State (PESS) is a single-question, patient-reported outcome that is validated to assess global disease impact in RA. This study addresses its sensitivity to change, and reliability.

METHODS

Disease activity, disease impact in the seven domains of RA Impact of Disease (RAID) and PESS were assessed in patients with RA from the NOR-DMARD registry, at two visits, 6 months apart. The PESS over the last week was scored at five levels, from 'very bad' to 'very good'. Disease impact and disease activity were compared between patients who improved, maintained or worsened PESS over time, through one-way analysis of variance, with post hoc Bonferroni correction. Correlations between changes in these parameters were assessed through Spearman's correlation coefficient. Sensitivity to change was assessed by standardized response mean (SRM) between the two visits. Reliability was analysed through intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) between the two visits in patients with stable disease activity and impact.

RESULTS

In 353 patients [76.8% females, mean (s.d.) 9.9 (9.6) years disease duration], improvement in PESS level was associated with substantial improvements in mean impact in all domains as well as disease activity (P <0.02). PESS change was moderately to strongly correlated with RAID domains and disease activity (rho: 0.4-0.7). PESS was responsive to change (SRM: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.54, 0.76), particularly among RAID responders (SRM: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.54, 1.99). PESS was moderately reliable in patients with stable condition (ICC: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.83).

CONCLUSION

PESS is valid, feasible, reliable and responsive, representing an opportunity to improve the assessment of disease impact with minimal questionnaire burden.

Balneotherapy and health-related quality of life in individuals with Rheumatoid arthritis: An observational study under real clinical practice conditions

Abstract: Introduction: To analyze the influence of balneotherapy applied under real clini-cal practice conditions on the quality of life and functionality of patients diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: Prospective, observational study conducted with a group of patients under real clinical practice conditions, with a 6-month follow-up. The partici-pants were beneficiaries of the social thermalism programme of the Spanish Ministry of Health, Consumption and Social Well-being, aged 60-80 years and diagnosed with rheu-matoid arthritis, who were treated at Fitero’s Spa (Spain). The study excluded those indi-viduals who had undergone another balneotherapeutic treatment in the previous 6 months, and those who had scheduled one in the following 6 months. Ten treatment ses-sions were applied. Each session included a bath and one or two additional techniques, which varied in each case, depending on the characteristics and preferences of the patient. The variables were gathered before initiating the treatment, and at 1, 3 and 6-months post-treatment. Results: The study included 49 individuals with an average age of 71.0 (SD 4.79) years. The variable “current health state” of EuroQol 5D-5L increased by 6.73 [-13.44 to -2.53] points and 6.26 [-12.07 to -0.46] in the first and third month, respectively. Pain was the dimension in which the largest number of participants reduced the level of their response in all the follow-up periods. Functionality showed an improvement of 0.196 [0.060 to 0.332] in the third month. Conclusions: The beneficial effects of balneotherapy on the health-related quality of life and functionality in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis can be positive.. Keywords: Balneotherapy, rheumatoid arthritis, quality of life, functionality.

Impact of a hybrid medical care model in the rheumatoid arthritis patient-reported outcomes: A non-inferiority crossover randomized study

OBJECTIVE

Patients and physicians can naturally adopt hybrid healthcare models that combine face-to-face consultations with telemedicine. The study's objective was to compare the impact of two healthcare interventions, hybrid care modality and face-to-face consultation, on the patient-reported outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis patients, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Consecutive outpatients reincorporated to a clinic previously in lockdown were invited to a non-inferiority, randomized study (October 2020--May 2022). Patients were randomized to 6 months of face-to-face consultation or hybrid care modality (intervention period-1) and then the converse modality (intervention period-2). The primary outcome was disease activity/severity behavior (Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3). Additional patient-reported outcomes were disability (Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index), quality-of-life (World Health Organization quality of life questionnaire-brief version), adherence and satisfaction with medical care, and treatment recommendation. Sample size calculation established 55 patients/healthcare interventions.

RESULTS

There were 138 patients invited to participate, 130 agreed and 121 completed their study participation. Sixty-one and 60 patients respectively, received face-to-face consultation and hybrid care modality over intervention period-1. Patients were primarily middle-aged females (90.1%), with (median, IQR) 12 (9-16) years of education, long-standing disease, working (62.8%), receiving disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (96.7%), and corticosteroids (61.2%). Patients had low disease activity (median Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3: 2.7) and Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index score that translated into the absence of disability, while quality of life was compromised. Baseline characteristics were similar between patients assigned to each healthcare intervention. Differences in Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 behavior were below the non-inferiority margin. Results considered the order in which patients received the intervention and baselines scores, and extended to the patient-reported outcomes left.

CONCLUSIONS

Hybrid care modality was non-inferior to in-person consultations in achieving patient-reported outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Systemic effects of IL-6 blockade in rheumatoid arthritis beyond the joints

Interleukin (IL)-6 is produced locally in response to an inflammatory stimulus, and is able to induce systemic manifestations at distance from the site of inflammation. Its unique signaling mechanism, including classical and trans-signaling pathways, leads to a major expansion in the number of cell types responding to IL-6. This pleiotropic cytokine is a key factor in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and is involved in many extra-articular manifestations that accompany the disease. Thus, IL-6 blockade is associated with various biological effects beyond the joints. In this review, the systemic effects of IL-6 in RA comorbidities and the consequences of its blockade will be discussed, including anemia of chronic disease, cardiovascular risks, bone and muscle functions, and neuro-psychological manifestations.

Young people's perspectives on patient-reported outcome measures in inflammatory arthritis: results of a multicentre European qualitative study from a EULAR task force

INTRODUCTION

Although patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are increasingly used in clinical practice and research, it is unclear whether these instruments cover the perspective of young people with inflammatory arthritis (IA). The aims of this study were to explore whether PROMs commonly used in IA adequately cover the perspective of young people from different European countries.

METHODS

A multinational qualitative study was conducted in Austria, Croatia, Italy and the Netherlands. Young people with either rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), Still's disease, psoriatic arthritis (PsA) or spondyloarthritis (SpA), aged 18-35 years, participated in semistructured focus group interviews. Thematic analysis was used and data saturation was defined as no new emergent concepts in at least three subsequent focus groups.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients (21 with RA/JIA/Still's, 17 with PsA, 15 with SpA; 72% women) participated in 12 focus groups. Participants expressed a general positive attitude towards PROMs and emphasised their importance in clinical practice. In addition, 48 lower level concepts were extracted and summarised into 6 higher level concepts describing potential issues for improvement. These included: need for lay-term information regarding the purpose of using PROMs; updates of certain outdated items and using digital technology for data acquisition. Some participants admitted their tendency to rate pain, fatigue or disease activity differently from what they actually felt for various reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite their general positive attitude, young people with IA suggested areas for PROM development to ensure that important concepts are included, making PROMs relevant over the entire course of a chronic disease.

Use of telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic in patients with inflammatory arthritis: a retrospective study on feasibility and impact on patient-reported outcomes in a real-life setting

Close follow-up is mandatory in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, rheumatological care was rapidly reorganized during the first peak from March 1, 2020 to May 31, 2020, and all patients with RA, PsA, and AS being treated with a subcutaneous biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug or oral targeted synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug were followed remotely. A retrospective database analysis of these 431 patients before and after this period is presented herein. A rheumatologist directly contacted all patients by telephone. Patients could also enter data on patient-reported outcomes remotely using the digital platform iAR Plus. General health (GH) and visual analog scale (VAS) pain were the main outcomes along with FACIT and disease-specific questionnaires (RADAI, ROAD, PROCLARA for RA, and BASDAI, BASGI, BASFI for AS). In all, 449 visits were postponed (69.9% of all scheduled visits); telephone evaluation was deemed inadequate in 193 instances, and patients underwent a standard outpatient visit. Comparing patients on telemedicine to those who underwent hospital visits, we found no statistically significant differences in GH (35.3 vs 39.3; p = 0.24), VAS (33.3 vs 37.1; p = 0.29), or other specific outcome measures in patients with RA, PsA, or AS. These results show that telemedicine has undoubted benefits, and in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that many patients with these diseases may prefer it.

What do patients prefer? A multinational, longitudinal, qualitative study on patient-preferred treatment outcomes in early rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVES

To explore treatment outcomes preferred by patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and how these change throughout the early disease stage across three European countries.

METHODS

A longitudinal, qualitative, multicentre study was conducted in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden. 80 patients with early RA were individually interviewed 3-9 months after treatment initiation and 51 of them participated again in either a focus group or an individual interview 12-21 months after treatment initiation. Data were first analysed by country, following the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven (QUAGOL). Thereafter, a meta-synthesis, inspired by the principles of meta-ethnography and the QUAGOL, was performed, involving the local research teams.

RESULTS

The meta-synthesis revealed 11 subthemes from which four main themes were identified: disease control, physical performance, self-accomplishment and well-being. 'A normal life despite RA' was an overarching patient-preferred outcome across countries. Belgian, Dutch and Swedish patients showed many similarities in terms of which outcomes they preferred throughout the early stage of RA. Some outcome preferences (eg, relief of fatigue and no side effects) developed differently over time across countries.

CONCLUSIONS

This study on patient-preferred outcomes in early RA revealed that patients essentially want to live a normal life despite RA. Our findings help to understand what really matters to patients and provide specific insights into the early stage of RA, which should be addressed by clinicians of different disciplines from the start of treatment onwards.

Physical and Emotional Burden of Rheumatoid Arthritis in Saudi Arabia: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose

The aim of this study was to better understand the physical and emotional impacts of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the lives of patients in Saudi Arabia, and to determine whether there are any discrepancies between how healthcare providers (HCPs) perceive the feelings of patients with RA and how patients actually feel.

Patients and Methods

An online survey of adults with RA and HCPs was conducted in Saudi Arabia between January and June 2018. The survey used closed-ended questions with nominal and interval scales to cover relationships with others, ability to work and career progression, ability to perform normal activities, and aspirations for the future.

Results

In total, 85 patients and 24 HCPs were surveyed. Patients were more likely than HCPs to feel that the people around them understood the emotional and physical impacts of RA (emotional impact understood: 67% of patients vs 42% of HCPs; physical impact understood: 61% vs 38%, respectively). Additionally, a larger proportion of younger (aged <40 years) than older patients (aged 40-59 and ≥60 years) felt that these impacts were not understood by others. For patients, the greatest barrier to working was difficulty using hands (52% vs 41% of HCPs), whereas HCPs considered pain the greatest barrier (50% vs 38% of patients). Both patients (59%) and HCPs (81%) considered pain to be a common barrier to undertaking everyday activities. Regarding future aspirations, 40% of patients wished to accept their RA despite the barriers it caused.

Conclusion

Discrepancies between how HCPs perceived the feelings of patients with RA and how patients actually felt suggest that HCP-patient communication could be improved. This is the first study of its kind in Saudi Arabia and should help increase awareness of the difficulties and concerns of patients with RA in the Arabic world.

Association of age with the non-achievement of clinical and functional remission in rheumatoid arthritis

Patient-reported outcome (PRO) is included in the remission criteria of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to determine the effect of age on PRO and the subsequent achievement of clinical and functional RA remission criteria. Three hundred and one patients with non-rheumatic diseases were evaluated using the 0–10 cm visual analog scale (VAS) assessment for musculoskeletal symptoms and a functional health assessment questionnaire-disability index (HAQ-DI). These assessments were compared with those obtained from 149 patients with RA with negative tender/swollen joint counts and normal serum C-reactive levels (objective clinical remission). Of the 301 patients, 32.2%, 26.6%, and 41.2% were classified as non-elderly (< 65 years), early elderly (65–74 years), and late-elderly (≥ 75 years) patients, respectively. VAS > 1 cm and HAQ-DI ≥ 0.5 were observed in 7.3% and 14.5%, respectively, in late-elderly patients, whereas ≤ 1.0% of non-elderly and early elderly patients for the both. Among 149 RA patients in objective remission, however, > 20% and > 10% of early elderly patients (and even non-elderly patients) had VAS > 1 cm and HAQ-DI ≥ 0.5, respectively, and 34.0% and 35.8% of late-elderly patients with RA had VAS > 1 cm and HAQ-DI ≥ 0.5, respectively. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that age and RA were associated with the non-achievement of VAS ≤ 1 cm and HAQ-DI < 0.5. Therefore, the effect of age, which was independent of the presence of RA even without any objective disease activity, on PRO and the non-achievement of clinical and functional remission criteria was demonstrated.

Responsiveness of Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients Starting or Switching a Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drug

OBJECTIVE

The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a calibrated item bank used to assess patient-reported outcomes across multiple domains. The purpose of this study was to describe the performance of selected PROMIS measures in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with active disease who were initiating a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD).

METHODS

Participants in an ongoing prospective observational study completed 8 PROMIS measures before and after DMARD initiation. Linear regression models were performed to identify cross-sectional associations between baseline PROMIS measures and disease activity, measured using the Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). Paired t-tests were performed to evaluate responsiveness after 12 weeks of DMARD treatment. Associations between changes in PROMIS measures and changes in the CDAI score were assessed using linear regression.

RESULTS

Among the 156 participants who completed the first study visit, the mean ± SD baseline CDAI score was 25.5 ± 14.0. Baseline scores for PROMIS measures of physical health, pain, and sleep were associated with the baseline CDAI score (P ≤ 0.05). Among the 106 participants with 12-week data, all PROMIS scores improved after DMARD initiation (P ≤ 0.05). With the exception of depression, changes in all assessed PROMIS measures were correlated with changes in the CDAI score (standardized βs from |0.23| to |0.38|).

CONCLUSION

These data provide support for the utility of PROMIS measures for the assessment of physical and mental health in individuals with active RA. All PROMIS measures improved significantly after DMARD initiation, with the magnitudes of association between changes in PROMIS measures and changes in the CDAI score in the low-to-moderate range.

Challenges in Implementing Treat-to-Target Strategies in Rheumatology

Despite evidence that treat-to-target (TTT) approaches lead to better disease outcomes in RA, TTT is not widely implemented in rheumatology clinics in North America. This article discusses the barriers (including access to care, patient and physician factors, and systems issues) to implementing TTT in the clinic, and proposes possible solutions and future research directions.