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Penton H, Jayade S, Selveindran S, Heisen M, Piketty C, Ulianov L, Jabbar-Lopez ZK, Silverberg JI, Puelles J. Assessing Response in Atopic Dermatitis: A Systematic Review of the Psychometric Performance of Measures Used in HTAs and Clinical Trials. Dermatol Ther (Heidelb) 2023; 13:2549-2571. [PMID: 37747670 PMCID: PMC10613159 DOI: 10.1007/s13555-023-01038-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Assessing treatment response is key to determining treatment value in atopic dermatitis (AD). Currently, response is assessed using various clinician- or patient-reported measures and response criteria. This variation creates a mismatch of evidence across trials, hindering the ability of clinicians, regulators, and payers to compare the efficacy of treatments. This review identifies which measures and criteria are used to determine response in clinical trials and health technology assessments (HTAs). Moreover, it systematically reviews the psychometric performance of those measures and criteria to understand which perform best in capturing patient-relevant symptoms and treatment benefits. METHODS A scoping review of clinical trials and HTAs in AD identified the following measures for inclusion: the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), the Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA), the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) and the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (PP-NRS). A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE and Embase to identify studies testing the psychometric performance of these measures in adults or adolescents with AD. RESULTS A lack of consistency in the assessment of response was observed across clinical trials and HTAs. Important gaps in psychometric evidence were identified. No content validations of the EASI and IGA in AD were found, while some quantitative studies suggested that these measures fail to capture itch, a core symptom. The PP-NRS and DLQI performed well. No studies compared the performance of different response criteria. CONCLUSION Content validation of the PP-NRS confirmed the importance of itch as a core symptom and treatment priority in AD; however, itch is not well covered in the EASI or IGA. Including the PP-NRS in clinical trials and HTAs will better capture patient-relevant benefit and response. Although various response criteria were used, no studies compared the performance of different criteria to inform which were most appropriate to compare treatments in clinical trials and HTAs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Jonathan I Silverberg
- Department of Dermatology, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
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Salaffi F, Carotti M, Di Carlo M, Ceccarelli L, Farah S, Giovagnoni A. The value of ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging scoring systems in explaining handgrip strength and functional impairment in rheumatoid arthritis patients: a pilot study. Radiol Med 2022; 127:652-663. [PMID: 35567732 PMCID: PMC9130172 DOI: 10.1007/s11547-022-01499-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Purpose The goal of this study is to investigate the relationship between joint inflammation and damage of the wrists and hands, measured by semiquantitative ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging scoring systems, with functional disability and handgrip strength (HGs). Materials and methods Consecutive adult RA patients with active disease, as defined by a Disease Activity Score 28 joints C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) > 3.2, underwent a cross-sectional evaluation comprehensive of a clinimetric assessment, an HGs evaluation, an ultrasound assessment aimed at calculating the UltraSound-CLinical ARthritis Activity (US-CLARA), and a magnetic resonance imaging scored according to the modified Simplified Rheumatoid Arthritis Magnetic Resonance Imaging Score (mod SAMIS). The Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient was used to test the correlations. Results Sixty-six patients with RA were investigated (age 55.6 ± 12.2 years). The mod SAMIS total score and the US-CLARA had a weak but significant correlation (rho = 0.377, p = 0.0018). Among the mod SAMIS sub-scores, there was a significant relationship between mod SAMIS bone edema (SAMIS-BME) and US-CLARA (rho = 0.799, p < 0.001) and mod SAMIS synovitis (SAMIS synovitis) and US-CLARA (rho = 0.539, p < 0.001). There were also significant negative relationships between the HGs score and the mod SAMIS total score and US-CLARA (rho = − 0.309, p = 0.011 and rho = − 0.775, p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions BME and synovitis have an influence on the function of the upper extremities. The US-CLARA and the mod SAMIS total score are intriguing options for semiquantitative assessment of joint inflammation and damage in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Salaffi
- Rheumatology Clinic, Dipartimento Di Scienze Cliniche e Molecolari, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedale "Carlo Urbani", Jesi (Ancona), Italy
| | - Marina Carotti
- Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marco Di Carlo
- Rheumatology Clinic, Dipartimento Di Scienze Cliniche e Molecolari, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedale "Carlo Urbani", Jesi (Ancona), Italy.
| | - Luca Ceccarelli
- Department of Interventional and Diagnostic Radiology, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Sant'Anna, Ferrara, Italy
| | - Sonia Farah
- Rheumatology Clinic, Dipartimento Di Scienze Cliniche e Molecolari, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ospedale "Carlo Urbani", Jesi (Ancona), Italy
| | - Andrea Giovagnoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Radiologiche, Ospedali Riuniti, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Ancona, Italy
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Cacciapaglia F, Perniola S, Venerito V, Anelli MG, Härdfeldt J, Fornaro M, Moschetta A, Iannone F. The Impact of Biologic Drugs on High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Efflux Capacity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. J Clin Rheumatol 2022; 28:e145-e149. [PMID: 33394831 DOI: 10.1097/rhu.0000000000001657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND One of the most intriguing conundrums in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the lack of correlation between cholesterol levels and cardiovascular (CV) events, diminishing the reliability of plasmatic lipid levels in estimating the CV risk. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol efflux capacity (HDLc-EC) directly indicates the functional ability of HDL to scavenge cholesterol from vascular wall and may provide better information on the atherogenic risk. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of different disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs on HDLc-EC in RA. METHODS Consecutive RA patients treated with different biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs or methotrexate monotherapy were longitudinally observed. Demographic and clinical features as well as lipid profile were recorded at baseline, 24-week, and 52-week follow-up. At the same time points, HDLc-EC was evaluated using J771 macrophages and a fluorometric assay. RESULTS We analyzed 100 RA patients on methotrexate, infliximab, tocilizumab, abatacept, or rituximab. No significant changes in the lipoprotein levels were detected, whereas the mean HDLc-EC statistically increased from baseline (22.5% ± 4.8%) to 24 weeks (24.5% ± 5.7%; p < 0.001) and 52 weeks (25.1% ± 5.9%; p < 0.001). Patients on tocilizumab showed the highest increase in HDLc-EC, already at 24 weeks. Patients on treatment with infliximab or rituximab showed a significant increase in HDLc-EC at 52 weeks. No significant changes were detected in abatacept and methotrexate groups. CONCLUSIONS Some treatments may impact cholesterol reverse transport in RA. The improved HDLc-EC, independently from lipid levels, may be one of the missing links between inflammation, lipids, and CV risk in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Cacciapaglia
- From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergence Medicine and Organ Transplantations
| | - Simone Perniola
- From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergence Medicine and Organ Transplantations
| | - Vincenzo Venerito
- From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergence Medicine and Organ Transplantations
| | - Maria Grazia Anelli
- From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergence Medicine and Organ Transplantations
| | - Jennifer Härdfeldt
- Internal Medicine Unit "C. Frugoni," Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Marco Fornaro
- From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergence Medicine and Organ Transplantations
| | - Antonio Moschetta
- Internal Medicine Unit "C. Frugoni," Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, University of Bari "Aldo Moro," Bari, Italy
| | - Florenzo Iannone
- From the Rheumatology Unit, Department of Emergence Medicine and Organ Transplantations
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Molina Collada J, Trives L, Castrejón I. The Importance of Outcome Measures in the Management of Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases. Open Access Rheumatol 2021; 13:191-200. [PMID: 34285602 PMCID: PMC8285275 DOI: 10.2147/oarrr.s276980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Rheumatic inflammatory diseases include a diverse and heterogeneous group of multifaceted disorders in which clinical history and physical examination are essential to make treatment choices and for optimizing outcomes. Composite outcome measures have become very relevant in rheumatology to evaluate disease activity as they capture the most important dimensions of the disease into one single measure. Most outcome measures may include disease manifestations, laboratory data, physician examination as well as the patient perspective as different outcome dimensions of the disease into a simple index. These outcome measures have proved their utility for guiding treatment in treat-to- target strategies and personalized medicine, with remission being the ultimate goal. In this narrative review, we go over the most commonly used outcome measures in rheumatoid arthritis, spondyloarthropathies, including psoriatic arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus to provide a practical summary for clinicians for everyday routine care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Molina Collada
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Trives
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Castrejón
- Department of Rheumatology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón (IiSGM), Madrid, Spain
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Johnson TM, Michaud K, England BR. Measures of Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2020; 72 Suppl 10:4-26. [PMID: 33091244 DOI: 10.1002/acr.24336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Tate M Johnson
- US Department of Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System and University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha
| | - Kaleb Michaud
- University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, and FORWARD, The National Databank for Rheumatic Diseases, Wichita, Kansas
| | - Bryant R England
- US Department of Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System and University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha
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Empirical evidence of disease activity thresholds used to indicate need for major therapeutic change in US veterans with rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis Res Ther 2020; 22:253. [PMID: 33092642 PMCID: PMC7579862 DOI: 10.1186/s13075-020-02346-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A previous analysis of the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis (VARA) registry showed that more than half of the patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) did not receive a major therapeutic change (MTC) despite moderate or severe disease activity. We aimed to empirically determine disease activity thresholds associated with a decision by rheumatologists and nurse practitioners to institute a MTC in patients with RA and to report the impact of that change on RA disease activity. Methods We analyzed data from the VARA registry between January 1, 2006, and September 30, 2017. Eligible patients had a visit with 3 disease activity measures (DAMs) recorded: Disease Activity Score for 28 joints (DAS28), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3). The Youden Index was used to identify disease activity thresholds that best discriminated rheumatologist/nurse practitioner decision to initiate MTC. Clinical outcome was 20% improvement in the American College of Rheumatology criteria (ACR20 response). The effect of MTC on ACR20 response was presented as crude descriptive statistics and evaluated using G-computation for marginal and conditional effects with established disease activity level combined with an empirical threshold from Youden analysis. Results The study population comprised 1776 patients (12,094 visits: 3077 with MTC, 9017 without MTC). Empirical thresholds (95% bootstrap confidence interval with 1000 replications) for MTC were 4.03 (3.70–4.36) for DAS28, 12.9 (10.4–15.4) for CDAI, and 3.81 (3.32–4.30) for RAPID3. Visits with MTC had increased likelihood of ACR20 response: risk ratios for ACR20 response for visits with MTC vs without MTC ranged 1.2–2.6 across DAMs; risk differences ranged 0.2–14.5%. Conclusions MTC was associated with clinical improvement across all DAMs with the greatest change in patients with RA disease activity above the Youden threshold identified in this work. Trial registration VARA Registry, https://www.hsrd.research.va.gov/research/abstracts.cfm?Project_ID=2141698764
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Wu J, Dong J, Li S, Luo J, Zhang Y, Liu H, Ni Y, Li X, Zhou J, Yang H, Xie Q, Jiang X, Wang T, Wang P, Zeng F, Chu Y, Yang J, Zeng F. The Role of Vitamin D in Combination Treatment for Patients With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:312. [PMID: 32766259 PMCID: PMC7381115 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.00312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy of vitamin D (VitD) supplementation in terms of response to treatment and improvement of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: This study analyzed 1180 RA patients' records treated at Mianyang Central Hospital from February 2015 to July 2019. The patients were allocated into VitD group and control group based on their medical regimens. The outcome measures were primary efficacy, defined as treatment response-based EULAR response criteria in RA, and secondary efficacy, defined as improvement in disease activity indicators. Safety was evaluated according to the incidence of all-cause infections. Results: At month 6, the primary efficacy revealed that there were 22.8% good responders and 19.0% moderate responders in the VitD group, and 22.3% good responders and 22.3% moderate responders in the control group; there were no differences between the two groups (p = 0.754). The similar primary efficacy outcomes were observed at months 3, 12, and >12. The secondary efficacy indicated that there were no differences in most indexes between the two groups at months 1, 3, 6, 12, and >12. The subgroups (based on baseline DAS28 (CRP), glucocorticoids use and disease duration) analysis results suggested that VitD group didn't have the advantage for treating RA. The incidence of infections was similar in the two groups. Conclusion: VitD supplementation did not provide additional benefit for anti-rheumatic treatment. These data supported the need for prospective, randomized, controlled trials to evaluate the role of VitD supplementation in treating RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhong Wu
- Department of Rheumatology, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Jianling Dong
- Department of Rheumatology, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China
| | - Shilin Li
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Jiaang Luo
- Department of Rheumatology, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China
| | - Hong Liu
- Department of Rheumatology, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China
| | - Yuanpiao Ni
- Department of Rheumatology, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China
| | - Xue Li
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Hang Yang
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Qianrong Xie
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Xuejun Jiang
- Department of Rheumatology, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Tingting Wang
- Department of Rheumatology, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Pingxi Wang
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Fanwei Zeng
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Yanpeng Chu
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Department of Rheumatology, Mianyang Central Hospital, Mianyang, China
| | - Fanxin Zeng
- Department of Clinical Research Center, Dazhou Central Hospital, Dazhou, China
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Sauer BC, Chen W, Shen J, Accortt NA, Collier DH, Cannon GW. Potential for Major Therapeutic Changes to Produce Significant Clinical Response Across a Broad Range of Disease Activity: An Observational Study of US Veterans With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2020; 73:964-974. [PMID: 32166882 DOI: 10.1002/acr.24183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To examine the impact of major therapeutic change (MTC) on clinical response across a broad range of disease activity in US veterans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS This historical cohort analysis evaluated patient visits from the Veterans Affairs RA registry between January 1, 2006 and September 30, 2017. Eligible patient visits were a rheumatology visit with 3 disease activity measures, including the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints, the Clinical Disease Activity Index, and the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3; the follow-up visit for all 3 disease activity measures was 2-6 months later. The full population and a subset of patients with active disease (≥6 tender joints, ≥6 swollen joints) were evaluated. Clinical outcome was based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria for 20% improvement in disease activity (ACR20). The effect of MTC on ACR20 response was presented as crude descriptive statistics and evaluated using standardized regression for population- and disease activity-level conditional effects. RESULTS The full population comprised 1,208 patients (6,138 visits) and the active disease subpopulation included 383 patients (1,109 visits). Overall, visits with MTC were associated with increased likelihood of ACR20 response across all disease activity measures for the full population. Risk ratios for overall risk of ACR20 response for visits with MTC versus those without MTC ranged from 1.67 to 2.22 across disease activity measures among the full population and from 1.51 to 1.60 for the subpopulation with active disease. CONCLUSION MTC was associated with clinical improvement, even among patients with longstanding RA who had received multiple prior therapies, which emphasizes the utility of therapy modifications for patients with established and active RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C Sauer
- Salt Lake City VA Medical Center and University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Wei Chen
- Salt Lake City VA Medical Center and University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | - Jincheng Shen
- Salt Lake City VA Medical Center and University of Utah, Salt Lake City
| | | | | | - Grant W Cannon
- Salt Lake City VA Medical Center and University of Utah, Salt Lake City
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10
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Oude Voshaar MAH, van de Laar MAFJ. Taking the patient and the patient's perspective into account to improve outcomes of care of patients with musculoskeletal diseases. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2019; 33:101436. [PMID: 31703794 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2019.101436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Patient-reported outcome measures are commonly used in the assessment of patients with musculoskeletal diseases. The present review provides an overview of historic and recent developments, including core set recommendations for assessing patient-reported outcomes in patients with fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and psoriatic arthritis. The evidence supporting commonly used patient-reported outcomes measures is reviewed. Furthermore, various methodological approaches that can be utilized to evaluate validity and measurement precision of patient reported outcomes are introduced. Commonly used methods based on the classical test theory as well as modern approaches based on item response theory will be discussed. The review finally describes the increasing use of item response theory-based approaches used in patient-reported outcomes assessment in the musculoskeletal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn A H Oude Voshaar
- Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, University of Twente, the Netherlands; Transparency in Healthcare, University of Twente, Hengelo, the Netherlands.
| | - Mart A F J van de Laar
- Department of Psychology, Health & Technology, University of Twente, the Netherlands; Transparency in Healthcare, University of Twente, Hengelo, the Netherlands
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Alfaro-Lara R, Espinosa-Ortega HF, Arce-Salinas CA. Systematic review and meta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of leflunomide and methotrexate in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 15:133-139. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reuma.2017.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Revised: 05/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the novel development of standardized clinical outcome measures used in adult patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). A further aim was to determine what aspects of IIM are covered by these outcome measures according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). RECENT FINDINGS The sporadic inclusion body myositis functional assessment (sIFA) is the first diagnosis-specific patient-driven patient-reported outcome measure. The adult myositis assessment tool (AMAT) is a new outcome measure assessing physical performance. Also, new criteria to assess response to treatment have been presented for both adults and children with IIM. The ICF provides a standardized frame and structure to report outcome, including functional disability. Using this framework, it is evident that there is a lack of validated patient-reported outcome measures to assess disease aspects important to patient, and that no studies have evaluated life-style factors such as physical activity in these patients. SUMMARY The sIFA will ensure patient-relevant patient-reported assessment of activity limitations in patients with inclusion body myositis. The AMAT is a partly validated tool that needs to be used in clinical trials for further validation. The response criteria will enhance assessment of individual response to different treatments.
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Brodin N, Grooten WJA, Stråt S, Löfberg E, Alexanderson H. The McMaster Toronto Arthritis patient preference questionnaire (MACTAR): a methodological study of reliability and minimal detectable change after a 6 week-period of acupuncture treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. BMC Res Notes 2017; 10:687. [PMID: 29202861 PMCID: PMC5715651 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-017-2991-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives The McMaster Toronto Arthritis patient preference questionnaire (MACTAR) is a semi-structured interview consisting of a baseline and a follow-up interview. The MACTAR baseline is reliable and valid, however the reliability of the MACTAR follow-up is scarcely described. The aim of this study was to describe aspects of reliability and ability to detect changes of the Swedish MACTAR follow-up following acupuncture treatment in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis. Results The study was of Single Subject Experimental Design, with a 2-week non-interventional A-phase and a 6-week intervention B-phase. Eight individuals with RA, age 30–68 years, were included. MACTAR baseline was performed once followed by five assessments with MACTAR follow-up during the A-phase and another ten assessments during the B-phase. Reliability statistics were calculated for measurements 1–3 during the A-phase and the ability to detect effects of acupuncture treatment was tested by celeration lines in the B-phase. The MACTAR follow-up was highly reliable (ICC = 0.7–0.9, SEM = 2.3–4.3, and SDD = 6.2–11.7). Visual and statistical analyses indicated that the MACTAR follow-up could detect effects on individual- and group levels after acupuncture treatment, indicating that the MACTAR follow-up seems to be reliable and is able to detect effects of acupuncture treatment in RA. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13104-017-2991-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Brodin
- Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden.,Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Orthopaedics, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Wilhelmus J A Grooten
- Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Sara Stråt
- Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Orthopaedics, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Elin Löfberg
- Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Orthopaedics, Danderyd Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helene Alexanderson
- Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden. .,Functional Area Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy, Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, D2:01, 171 76, Stockholm, Sweden.
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Lourdudoss C, Wolk A, Nise L, Alfredsson L, Vollenhoven RV. Are dietary vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and folate associated with treatment results in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis? Data from a Swedish population-based prospective study. BMJ Open 2017; 7:e016154. [PMID: 28601838 PMCID: PMC5541601 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2017-016154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dietary intake of vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids (FA) may be associated with superior response to antirheumatic treatments. In addition, dietary folate intake may be associated with worse response to methotrexate (MTX). The aim of this study was to investigate the association between dietary vitamin D, omega-3 FA, folate and treatment results of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS This prospective study was based on data from the Epidemiological Investigation of Rheumatoid Arthritis (EIRA) study, and included 727 patients with early RA from 10 hospitals in Sweden. Data on dietary vitamin D, omega-3 FA and folate intake based on food frequency questionnaires were linked with data on European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response after 3 months of DMARD treatment. Associations between vitamin D, omega-3 FA, folate and EULAR response were analysed with logistic regression adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS The majority of patients (89.9%) were initially treated with MTX monotherapy and more than half (56.9%) with glucocorticoids. Vitamin D and omega-3 FA were associated with good EULAR response (OR 1.80 (95% CI 1.14 to 2.83) and OR 1.60 (95% CI 1.02 to 2.53), respectively). Folate was not significantly associated with EULAR response (OR 1.20 (95% CI 0.75 to 1.91)). Similar results were seen in a subgroup of patients who were initially treated with MTX monotherapy at baseline. CONCLUSIONS Higher intake of dietary vitamin D and omega-3 FA during the year preceding DMARD initiation may be associated with better treatment results in patients with early RA. Dietary folate intake was not associated with worse or better response to treatment, especially to MTX. Our results suggest that some nutrients may be associated with enhanced treatment results of DMARDs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alicja Wolk
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lena Nise
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lars Alfredsson
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Voshaar MAHO, Moghadam MG, Vonkeman HE, Ten Klooster PM, van Schaardenburg D, Tekstra J, Visser H, van de Laar MAFJ, Jansen TL. Measuring Disease Exacerbation and Flares in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Comparison of Commonly Used Disease Activity Indices and Individual Measures. J Rheumatol 2017; 44:1118-1124. [PMID: 28507187 DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.160915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare the utility of commonly used outcome measures for assessing disease exacerbation or flare in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS Data from the Dutch Potential Optimalisation of (Expediency) and Effectiveness of Tumor necrosis factor-α blockers (POET) study, in which 462 patients discontinued their tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitor, were used. The ability of different measures to discriminate between those with and without physician-reported flare or medication escalation at the 3-month visit (T2) was evaluated by calculating effect size (ES) statistics. Responsiveness to increased disease activity was compared between measures by standardizing change scores (SCS) from baseline to the 3-month visit. Finally, the incremental validity of individual outcome measures beyond the Simplified Disease Activity Score was evaluated using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS The SCS were greater for disease activity indices than for any of the individual measures. The 28-joint Disease Activity Score, Clinical Disease Activity Index, and Simplified Disease Activity Index performed similarly. Pain and physician's (PGA) and patient's global assessment (PtGA) of disease activity were the most responsive individual measures. Similar results were obtained for discriminative ability, with greatest ES for disease activity indices followed by pain, PGA, and PtGA. Pain was the only measure to demonstrate incremental validity beyond SDAI in predicting 3-month flare status. CONCLUSION These results support the use of composite disease activity indices, patient-reported pain and disease activity, and physician-reported disease activity for measuring disease exacerbation or identifying flares of RA. Physical function, acute-phase response, and the auxiliary measures fatigue, participation, and emotional well-being performed poorly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn A H Oude Voshaar
- From the Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede; Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center, Amsterdam; Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht; Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center, Arnhem; Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center, Venlo, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,M.A. Oude Voshaar, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; M. Ghiti Moghadam, MD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; H.E. Vonkeman, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; P.M. ten Klooster, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; D. van Schaardenburg, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center; J. Tekstra, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht; H. Visser, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center; M.A. van de Laar, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; T.L. Jansen, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center
| | - Marjan Ghiti Moghadam
- From the Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede; Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center, Amsterdam; Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht; Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center, Arnhem; Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center, Venlo, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. .,M.A. Oude Voshaar, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; M. Ghiti Moghadam, MD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; H.E. Vonkeman, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; P.M. ten Klooster, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; D. van Schaardenburg, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center; J. Tekstra, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht; H. Visser, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center; M.A. van de Laar, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; T.L. Jansen, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center.
| | - Harald E Vonkeman
- From the Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede; Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center, Amsterdam; Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht; Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center, Arnhem; Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center, Venlo, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,M.A. Oude Voshaar, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; M. Ghiti Moghadam, MD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; H.E. Vonkeman, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; P.M. ten Klooster, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; D. van Schaardenburg, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center; J. Tekstra, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht; H. Visser, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center; M.A. van de Laar, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; T.L. Jansen, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center
| | - Peter M Ten Klooster
- From the Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede; Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center, Amsterdam; Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht; Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center, Arnhem; Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center, Venlo, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,M.A. Oude Voshaar, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; M. Ghiti Moghadam, MD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; H.E. Vonkeman, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; P.M. ten Klooster, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; D. van Schaardenburg, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center; J. Tekstra, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht; H. Visser, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center; M.A. van de Laar, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; T.L. Jansen, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center
| | - Dirkjan van Schaardenburg
- From the Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede; Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center, Amsterdam; Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht; Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center, Arnhem; Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center, Venlo, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,M.A. Oude Voshaar, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; M. Ghiti Moghadam, MD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; H.E. Vonkeman, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; P.M. ten Klooster, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; D. van Schaardenburg, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center; J. Tekstra, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht; H. Visser, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center; M.A. van de Laar, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; T.L. Jansen, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center
| | - Janneke Tekstra
- From the Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede; Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center, Amsterdam; Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht; Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center, Arnhem; Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center, Venlo, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,M.A. Oude Voshaar, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; M. Ghiti Moghadam, MD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; H.E. Vonkeman, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; P.M. ten Klooster, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; D. van Schaardenburg, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center; J. Tekstra, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht; H. Visser, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center; M.A. van de Laar, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; T.L. Jansen, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center
| | - Henk Visser
- From the Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede; Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center, Amsterdam; Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht; Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center, Arnhem; Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center, Venlo, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,M.A. Oude Voshaar, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; M. Ghiti Moghadam, MD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; H.E. Vonkeman, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; P.M. ten Klooster, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; D. van Schaardenburg, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center; J. Tekstra, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht; H. Visser, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center; M.A. van de Laar, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; T.L. Jansen, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center
| | - Mart A F J van de Laar
- From the Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede; Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center, Amsterdam; Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht; Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center, Arnhem; Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center, Venlo, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,M.A. Oude Voshaar, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; M. Ghiti Moghadam, MD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; H.E. Vonkeman, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; P.M. ten Klooster, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; D. van Schaardenburg, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center; J. Tekstra, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht; H. Visser, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center; M.A. van de Laar, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; T.L. Jansen, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center
| | - Tim L Jansen
- From the Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente, Enschede; Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center, Amsterdam; Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht; Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center, Arnhem; Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center, Venlo, the Netherlands; Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,M.A. Oude Voshaar, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; M. Ghiti Moghadam, MD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Leuven, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; H.E. Vonkeman, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; P.M. ten Klooster, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente; D. van Schaardenburg, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center and Reade Medical Center; J. Tekstra, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, University Medical Center Utrecht; H. Visser, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Rijnstate Medical Center; M.A. van de Laar, MD, PhD, Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, University of Twente, and Arthritis Center Twente, Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Medical Spectrum Twente; T.L. Jansen, MD, PhD, Department of Rheumatology, Viecuri Medical Center
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Ward MM, Guthrie LC. Applicability of patient utilities as measures of overall quality of life in rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2016; 56:239-246. [PMID: 27789761 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kew294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Revised: 06/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim was to determine whether the time trade-off (TTO) and standard gamble utilities can detect treatment-related improvement in overall quality of life in patients with active RA. METHODS We measured TTO and standard gamble utilities in 192 patients before and after escalation of anti-rheumatic treatment in a prospective longitudinal study. We also examined associations between changes in utilities and patient-reported improvement during the study, and with EULAR responses. RESULTS Mean TTO at baseline was 0.68 (median 0.82) and mean standard gamble 0.80 (median 0.93). Both utilities improved significantly with treatment. Standardized response means, a measure of responsiveness, were 0.37 for the TTO and 0.20 for the standard gamble, and comparable to those of two mental health measures and the CRP, but lower than other RA activity measures. Changes in utilities were not significantly associated with patient-reported improvement. The standard gamble, but not the TTO, had a graded association with EULAR responses. CONCLUSION Utilities by the TTO and standard gamble were able to detect improvement in overall quality of life with anti-rheumatic treatment in patients with active RA, suggesting applicability in clinical trials. The standard gamble was associated with reference measures of improvement, although not as strongly as measures of RA activity, as expected with its generic orientation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael M Ward
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Lori C Guthrie
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Romero-Guzmán AK, Menchaca-Tapia VM, Contreras-Yáñez I, Pascual-Ramos V. Patient and physician perspectives of hand function in a cohort of rheumatoid arthritis patients: the impact of disease activity. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2016; 17:392. [PMID: 27628666 PMCID: PMC5024415 DOI: 10.1186/s12891-016-1246-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In 2004, we initiated an inception cohort of patients with recent-onset rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Hand function was incorporated into evaluations from 2014 onward. The objectives were to examine hand function in our cohort, compare hand function with function in healthy controls and determine the factors associated with impaired function. Methods From February 2014 to June 2015, 139 patients (97.2 % of the cohort) had disease activity scored (28 joints, [DAS28]); the Michigan Hand Outcome Questionnaire (MHQ) and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand Outcome Measure (DASH) were completed, and the tip-, key- and palmar-pinch and grip strengths were measured. Sixty-nine healthy controls underwent the same evaluations. Ninety-nine patients underwent a second evaluation one year after their baseline. Descriptive statistics and linear regression models were used. Patients and controls signed informed consent. Results Patients were primarily middle-aged females with a median disease duration of 7 years; 91 patients had DAS28-remission, and 16, 23, and 9 patients had low, moderate and high disease activity, respectively. Controls scored better than did patients with (any) disease activity level; remission patients had similar DASH and key pinch function as did controls with poorer MHQ and both tip and palmar pinch and grip strength. DAS28 was consistently associated with impaired hand function. Among the patients with a one-year re-assessment, changes in DAS28 correlated (rho = 0.34 to 0.63) with changes in hand function (p ≤ 0.01 for all comparisons), but there was no correlation with palmar pinch strength. Conclusions Disease activity was associated with hand function impairment in RA patients with variable follow-up. MHQ discriminated poorer hand function in remission patients who otherwise had similar DASH scores as the controls did.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana K Romero-Guzmán
- Immunology and Rheumatology Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Avenida Vasco de Quiroga 15, Colonia Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080, México City, DF, México
| | - Víctor M Menchaca-Tapia
- Immunology and Rheumatology Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Avenida Vasco de Quiroga 15, Colonia Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080, México City, DF, México
| | - Irazú Contreras-Yáñez
- Immunology and Rheumatology Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Avenida Vasco de Quiroga 15, Colonia Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080, México City, DF, México
| | - Virginia Pascual-Ramos
- Immunology and Rheumatology Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Avenida Vasco de Quiroga 15, Colonia Belisario Domínguez Sección XVI, Tlalpan, 14080, México City, DF, México.
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Cordtz R, Mellemkjær L, Glintborg B, Hetland ML, Madsen OR, Jensen Hansen IM, Dreyer L. Risk of virus-associated cancer in female arthritis patients treated with biological DMARDs—a cohort study. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2016; 55:1017-22. [DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/kew012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2015] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Sendlbeck M, Araujo EG, Schett G, Englbrecht M. Psychometric properties of three single-item pain scales in patients with rheumatoid arthritis seen during routine clinical care: a comparative perspective on construct validity, reproducibility and internal responsiveness. RMD Open 2015; 1:e000140. [PMID: 26719815 PMCID: PMC4692050 DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2015-000140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2015] [Accepted: 10/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate the construct validity, reproducibility (ie, retest reliability) and internal responsiveness to treatment change of common single-item scales measuring overall pain in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to investigate the corresponding effect of common pain-related comorbidities and medical consultation on these outcomes. Methods 236 patients with RA completed a set of questionnaires including a visual analogue scale (VAS), a numerical rating scale (NRS) and a verbal rating scale (VRS) measuring overall pain before and immediately after routine medical consultation as well as 1 week after the patient's visit. Construct validity and retest reliability were evaluated using the Bravais-Pearson correlation while standardised response means (SRM) were calculated for evaluating internal responsiveness. Differences in the perception of pain were calculated using dependent samples t-tests. Results In the total sample, construct validity was good across all three time points (convergent validity of pain scales: rT1–T3=0.82–0.92, p<0.001; discriminant validity as correlation of pain scales with age: rage=0.01–0.16, p>0.05). In patients maintaining antirheumatic treatment, retest reliability of pain scales was confirmed for all scales and across time points (rVAS=0.82–0.95, rNRS=0.89–0.98, rVRS=0.80–0.90, p<0.001), while the internal responsiveness of scales to a change in treatment was low across all scales (SRM=0.08–0.21). The VAS especially suggested a change in pain perception after medical consultation in patients maintaining therapy. Conclusions The VAS, NRS and VRS are valid and retest reliable in an outpatient clinical practice setting. The low pain scales’ internal responsiveness to treatment change is likely to be due to the short follow-up period. Patients with RA maintaining antirheumatic therapy seem to experience less pain after medical consultation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Sendlbeck
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Institute of Clinical Immunology , University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Elizabeth G Araujo
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Institute of Clinical Immunology , University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Georg Schett
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Institute of Clinical Immunology , University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Erlangen , Germany
| | - Matthias Englbrecht
- Department of Internal Medicine 3 and Institute of Clinical Immunology , University of Erlangen-Nuremberg , Erlangen , Germany
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Ward MM, Guthrie LC, Alba MI. Clinically important changes in individual and composite measures of rheumatoid arthritis activity: thresholds applicable in clinical trials. Ann Rheum Dis 2014; 74:1691-6. [PMID: 24794149 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-205079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2013] [Accepted: 04/13/2014] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Thresholds of minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) are needed to plan and interpret clinical trials. We estimated MCIIs for the rheumatoid arthritis (RA) activity measures of patient global assessment, pain score, Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ), Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28), Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI). METHODS In this prospective longitudinal study, we studied 250 patients who had active RA. Disease activity measures were collected before and either 1 month (for patients treated with prednisone) or 4 months (for patients treated with disease modifying medications or biologics) after treatment escalation. Patient judgments of improvement in arthritis status were related to prospectively assessed changes in the measures. MCIIs were changes that had a specificity of 0.80 for improvement based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. We used bootstrapping to provide estimates with predictive validity. RESULTS At baseline, the mean (±SD) DAS28-ESR (erythrocyte sedimentation rate) was 6.16±1.2 and mean SDAI was 38.6±14.8. Improvement in overall arthritis status was reported by 167 patients (66.8%). Patients were consistent in their ratings of improvement versus no change or worsening, with receiver operating characteristic curve areas ≥0.74. MCIIs with a specificity for improvement of 0.80 were: patient global assessment -18, pain score -20, HAQ -0.375, DAS28-ESR -1.2, DAS28-CRP (C-reactive protein) -1.0, SDAI -13, and CDAI -12. CONCLUSIONS MCIIs for individual core set measures were larger than previous estimates. Reporting the proportion of patients who meet these MCII thresholds can improve the interpretation of clinical trials in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael M Ward
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Lori C Guthrie
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Maria I Alba
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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Abstract
Increasing evidence suggests low disease activity or remission is achievable in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Using a treat to target strategy (T2T) has been shown to achieve these targets of remission or low disease activity in RA. In order to successfully treat to target, rheumatologists need reliable measures of disease activity to switch and/or escalate therapy to achieve or maintain therapeutic targets. Multiple disease-activity measures have been developed for both research and clinical practice. For clinical practice, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) has recommended the PAS, PAS II, RAPID 3, CDAI, DAS 28, and SDAI for measuring disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis. Each of these measures has strengths and limitations, but they all accurately reflect disease activity, discriminate well between disease states, and are feasible to perform in the clinical setting. Implementation in the clinical setting can be optimized through leveraging technology and systems redesign. Tools such as web-based and smartphone applications have been developed to increase the ease with which these measures can be deployed. Disease-activity measurement in rheumatoid arthritis is included in the rheumatoid arthritis quality measures group in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' incentive-based Physician Quality Reporting System.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarzyna Gilek-Seibert
- Division of Rheumatic Diseases, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-8884, USA,
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Alemo Munters L, Dastmalchi M, Andgren V, Emilson C, Bergegård J, Regardt M, Johansson A, Orefelt Tholander I, Hanna B, Lidén M, Esbjörnsson M, Alexanderson H. Improvement in health and possible reduction in disease activity using endurance exercise in patients with established polymyositis and dermatomyositis: a multicenter randomized controlled trial with a 1-year open extension followup. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2014; 65:1959-68. [PMID: 23861241 DOI: 10.1002/acr.22068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2013] [Accepted: 06/21/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the effects of a 12-week endurance exercise program on health, disability, VO2 max, and disease activity in a multicenter randomized controlled trial in patients with established polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM), and to evaluate health and disability in a 1-year open extension study. METHODS Patients were randomized into a 12-week endurance exercise program group (EG; n = 11) or a control group (CG; n = 10). Assessments of health (Short Form 36 [SF-36]), muscle performance (5 voluntary repetition maximum [5 VRM]), activities of daily living (ADL), patient preference (McMaster Toronto Arthritis Patient Preference Disability Questionnaire), VO2 max, and disease activity (International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies criteria of improvement of the 6-item core set) were performed at 0 and 12 weeks. Disability assessments were performed again at 52 weeks in an open extension period. All assessments were performed by blinded observers. RESULTS The EG improved compared to the CG in SF-36 physical function and vitality (P = 0.010 and P = 0.046, respectively), ADL score (P = 0.035), 5 VRM (P = 0.026), and VO2 max (P = 0.010). More patients in the EG (7 of 11) were responders with reduced disease activity compared to none in the CG (P = 0.002). Correlations between VO2 max and SF-36 physical function were 0.90 and 0.91 at 0 and 12 weeks, respectively (P < 0.05). The EG improvement in 5 VRM was sustained up to 52 weeks compared to baseline (5.7 kg; P < 0.001), but not in ADL score or SF-36. CONCLUSIONS Endurance exercise improves health and may reduce disease activity in patients with established PM/DM. This potentially could be mediated through improved aerobic fitness. The results also indicate sustained muscle strength up to 1 year after a supervised program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Alemo Munters
- Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Regier DA, Bansback N, Dar Santos A, Marra CA. Cost–effectiveness of tumor necrosis factor-α antagonists in rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2014; 7:155-69. [PMID: 20528442 DOI: 10.1586/14737167.7.2.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dean A Regier
- Health Economics Research Unit, University of Aberdeen, Polwarth Building, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland, AB25 2ZD
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Cobos EJ, Portillo-Salido E. "Bedside-to-Bench" Behavioral Outcomes in Animal Models of Pain: Beyond the Evaluation of Reflexes. Curr Neuropharmacol 2014; 11:560-91. [PMID: 24396334 PMCID: PMC3849784 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x113119990041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2013] [Revised: 04/05/2013] [Accepted: 05/24/2013] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the myriad promising new targets and candidate analgesics recently identified in preclinical pain studies, little translation to novel pain medications has been generated. The pain phenotype in humans involves complex behavioral alterations, including changes in daily living activities and psychological disturbances. These behavioral changes are not reflected by the outcome measures traditionally used in rodents for preclinical pain testing, which are based on reflexes evoked by sensory stimuli of different types (mechanical, thermal or chemical). These measures do not evaluate the impact of the pain experience on the global behavior or disability of the animals, and therefore only consider a limited aspect of the pain phenotype. The development of relevant new outcomes indicative of pain to increase the validity of animal models of pain has been increasingly pursued over the past few years. The aim has been to translate “bedside-to-bench” outcomes from the human pain phenotype to rodents, in order to complement traditional pain outcomes by providing a closer and more realistic measure of clinical pain in rodents. This review summarizes and discusses the most important nonstandard outcomes for pain assessment in preclinical studies. The advantages and drawbacks of these techniques are considered, and their potential impact on the validation of potential analgesics is evaluated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique J Cobos
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, University of Granada, Avenida de Madrid 11, 18012 Granada
| | - Enrique Portillo-Salido
- Drug Discovery and Preclinical Development, Esteve, Avenida Mare de Déu de Montserrat 221, 08041 Barcelona, Spain
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Alemo Munters L, Brodin N, Löfberg E, Stråt S, Alexanderson H. Disabilities of importance for patients to improve--using a patient preference tool in rheumatoid arthritis. Disabil Rehabil 2013; 36:1762-7. [PMID: 24364534 DOI: 10.3109/09638288.2013.868535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate, using the McMaster Toronto Arthritis patient preference disability questionnaire (MACTAR), disabilities most important to improve in Swedish patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to compare these with the pre-defined activities in the International Classification of Functioning (ICF) comprehensive core set for RA and the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). Also to categorize patient preference selected disabilities using the ICF, to correlate the MACTAR score to RA core set measures and to evaluate the MACTAR's test-retest reliability. METHODS 45 patients with RA (median (md) age 59 years, diagnosis duration md 10 years) were included. Assessments included disease activity score (DAS28), timed-stands test (TST), shoulder function assessment (SFA), visual analogue scale for pain (VAS), HAQ, patients' global assessment of well-being (PGA) and the MACTAR. RESULTS 58 disabilities were identified of which 17 were identified by at least 5 patients. 47% of them were represented in the Comprehensive ICF RA core set and 53% in the HAQ. 16/17 were categorized in the ICF activities and participation component. Correlations between the MACTAR and other measures were: DAS28 (rs -0.65), TST (rs -0.19), SFA (rs 0.38), VAS (rs -0.61), HAQ (rs -0.51) and PGA (rs -0.61). Weighted κ was 0.59. CONCLUSIONS Half of the disabilities patients with RA identified by use of the MACTAR are not evaluated in the Comprehensive ICF core set for RA or the HAQ. MACTAR has moderate test-retest reliability. MACTAR can be considered to be used in addition to traditional RA outcomes and may potentially improve clinical assessment of patients with RA. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION RA has an impact on personal life areas. The MACTAR helps identify individual disease-related disabilities of importance to improve. The MACTAR provides an opportunity for individualized goal-setting in rehabilitation and can thus promote adherence in rehabilitation. MACTAR may potentially improve clinical assessment for patients with RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Alemo Munters
- Department of Medicine, Rheumatology Unit, Karolinska Institutet , Stockholm , Sweden
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den Uyl D, ter Wee M, Boers M, Kerstens P, Voskuyl A, Nurmohamed M, Raterman H, van Schaardenburg D, van Dillen N, Dijkmans B, Lems W. A non-inferiority trial of an attenuated combination strategy ('COBRA-light') compared to the original COBRA strategy: clinical results after 26 weeks. Ann Rheum Dis 2013; 73:1071-8. [PMID: 23606682 PMCID: PMC4033113 DOI: 10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-202818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early, intensive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the combination of (initially high dose) prednisolone, methotrexate and sulfasalazine (COBRA therapy) considerably lowers disease activity and suppresses radiological progression, but is infrequently prescribed in daily practice. Attenuating the COBRA regimen might lessen concerns about side effects, but the efficacy of such strategies is unknown. OBJECTIVE To compare the 'COBRA-light' strategy with only two drugs, comprising a lower dose of prednisolone (starting at 30 mg/day, tapered to 7.5 mg/day in 9 weeks) and methotrexate (escalated to 25 mg/week in 9 weeks) to COBRA therapy (prednisolone 60 mg/day, tapered to 7.5 mg/day in 6 weeks, methotrexate 7.5 mg/week and sulfasalazine 2 g/day). METHOD An open, randomised controlled, non-inferiority trial in 164 patients with early active RA, all treated according to a treat to target strategy. RESULTS At baseline patients had moderately active disease: mean (SD) 44-joint disease activity score (DAS44) 4.13 (0.81) for COBRA and 3.95 (0.9) for COBRA-light. After 6 months, DAS44 significantly decreased in both groups (-2.50 (1.21) for COBRA and -2.18 (1.10) for COBRA-light). The adjusted difference in DAS44 improvement between the groups, 0.21 (95% CI -0.11 to 0.53), was smaller than the predefined clinically relevant difference of 0.5. Minimal disease activity (DAS44 <1.6) was reached in almost half of patients in both groups (49% and 41% in COBRA and COBRA-light, respectively). CONCLUSIONS At 6 months COBRA-light therapy is most likely non-inferior to COBRA therapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER 55552928.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debby den Uyl
- Department of Rheumatology, VU University Medical Center, , Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Chandrashekara S, Sachin S. Measures in rheumatoid arthritis: are we measuring too many parameters. Int J Rheum Dis 2012; 15:239-48. [PMID: 22709486 DOI: 10.1111/j.1756-185x.2012.01754.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The disease activity measures in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a lot of unmet need for current clinical demand. With available biological and aggressive disease modifying anti-rheumatic drug therapy, the goal of RA treatment has moved toward remission or at least tighter control. The current measures lose their ability to discriminate further once the patient gets into minimal disease or tight control. There are more numbers of parameters, measured to assess disease activity, like joint counts, perception scales and laboratory parameters. There are different composite scores like Disease Activity Score, American College of Rheumatology criteria and clinical disease activity index. In this review we have reviewed the evolution of and changing need for these measures. The relevance of some measures and their use and limitations with reference to various characteristics are presented. Inflammation measures to quantify the RA process is the best way to monitor RA disease activity. C-reactive protein alone or with other biomarkers to specify RA, appear to be good prospective measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Chandrashekara
- ChanRe Rheumatology and Immunology Center and Research, Basaweswaranagar, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
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Anderson JK, Zimmerman L, Caplan L, Michaud K. Measures of rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: Patient (PtGA) and Provider (PrGA) Global Assessment of Disease Activity, Disease Activity Score (DAS) and Disease Activity Score with 28-Joint Counts (DAS28), Simplified Disease Activity Index (SDAI), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI), Patient Activity Score (PAS) and Patient Activity Score-II (PASII), Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data (RAPID), Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index (RADAI) and Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index-5 (RADAI-5), Chronic Arthritis Systemic Index (CASI), Patient-Based Disease Activity Score With ESR (PDAS1) and Patient-Based Disease Activity Score without ESR (PDAS2), and Mean Overall Index for Rheumatoid Arthritis (MOI-RA). Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2012; 63 Suppl 11:S14-36. [PMID: 22588741 DOI: 10.1002/acr.20621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 175] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Statistically and clinically important change of pain scores in patients with myogenous temporomandibular disorders. Eur J Pain 2012; 13:506-10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpain.2008.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2007] [Revised: 06/04/2008] [Accepted: 06/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Oude Voshaar MAH, ten Klooster PM, Taal E, van de Laar MAFJ. Measurement properties of physical function scales validated for use in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review of the literature. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2011; 9:99. [PMID: 22059801 PMCID: PMC3221621 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7525-9-99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2011] [Accepted: 11/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The aim of this study was to systematically review the content validity and measurement properties of all physical function (PF) scales which are currently validated for use with patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods Systematic literature searches were performed in the Scopus and PubMed databases to identify articles on the development or psychometric evaluation of PF scales for patients with RA. The content validity of included scales was evaluated by linking their items to the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health (ICF). Furthermore, available evidence of the reliability, validity, responsiveness, and interpretability of the included scales was rated according to published quality criteria. Results The search identified 26 questionnaires with PF scales. Ten questionnaires were rated to have adequate content validity. Construct validity, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and responsiveness was rated favourably for respectively 15, 11, 5, and 6 of the investigated scales. Information about the absolute measurement error and minimal important change scores were rarely reported. Conclusion Based on this literature review, the disease-specificHAQ and the generic SF-36 can currently be most confidently recommended to measure PF in RA for most research purposes. The HAQ, however, was frequently associated with considerable ceiling effects while the SF-36 has limited content coverage. Alternative scales that might be better suited for specific research purposes are identified along with future directions for research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn A H Oude Voshaar
- Arthritis Center Twente, University of Twente, Department of Psychology, Health and Technology, Enschede, The Netherlands.
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Suter LG, Fraenkel L, Braithwaite RS. Cost-effectiveness of adding magnetic resonance imaging to rheumatoid arthritis management. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 171:657-67. [PMID: 21482840 DOI: 10.1001/archinternmed.2011.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Early, aggressive treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) improves outcomes but confers increased risk. Risk stratification to target aggressive treatment of high-risk individuals with early RA is considered important to optimize outcomes while minimizing clinical and monetary costs. Some advocate the addition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to standard RA risk stratification with clinical markers for patients early in the disease course. Our objective was to determine the incremental cost-effectiveness of adding MRI to standard risk stratification in early RA. METHODS Using a decision analysis model of standard risk stratification with or without MRI, followed by escalated standard treatment protocols based on treatment response, we estimated 1-year and lifetime quality-adjusted life-years, RA-related costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (with MRI vs without MRI) for RA patients with fewer than 12 months of disease and no baseline radiographic erosions. Inputs were derived from the published literature. We assumed a societal perspective with 3.0% discounting. RESULTS One-year and lifetime incremental cost-effectiveness ratios for adding MRI to standard testing were $204,103 and $167,783 per quality-adjusted life-year gained, respectively. In 1-way sensitivity analyses, model results were insensitive to plausible ranges for every variable except MRI specificity, which published data suggest is below the threshold for MRI cost-effectiveness. In probabilistic sensitivity analyses, most simulations produced lifetime incremental cost-effectiveness ratios in excess of $100,000 per quality-adjusted life-year gained, a commonly cited threshold. CONCLUSION Under plausible clinical conditions, adding MRI is not cost-effective compared with standard risk stratification in early-RA patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa G Suter
- Section of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, 300 Cedar St, Room TAC S541, PO Box 208031, New Haven, CT 06520-8031, USA.
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Alemo Munters L, van Vollenhoven RF, Alexanderson H. Patient preference assessment reveals disease aspects not covered by recommended outcomes in polymyositis and dermatomyositis. ISRN RHEUMATOLOGY 2011; 2011:463124. [PMID: 22389795 PMCID: PMC3263738 DOI: 10.5402/2011/463124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2011] [Accepted: 03/02/2011] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Objectives. Polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) are characterized by impaired muscle function with a majority of patients developing sustained disability. The aim of this study was to evaluate the patient's individual priorities (patient preference) of disabilities most important to improve in PM/DM using the MacMaster Toronto Arthritis Patient Preference Disability Questionnaire (MACTAR), to correlate the MACTAR to myositis outcomes and to evaluate its test-retest reliability. Methods. Twenty-eight patients with PM/DM performed recommended outcomes as well as the MACTAR, which was performed twice with one week apart. Results. Sexual activity, walking, biking, social activities, and sleep constituted the predominating disabilities. Seventy-two and 33% of the identified disabilities were not covered by items of the Health Assessment Questionnaire and the Myositis Activities Profile. Correlations between the MACTAR and health-related quality of life measures were rs = −0.67–0.73, correlations with measures of activities of daily living and participation in society were rs = 0.51–0.60 with lower correlations for other outcomes. Intraclass correlation (ICC) and weighted Kappa (Kw) coefficients were 0.83 and 0.68, respectively, for test-retest reliability of the MACTAR. Conclusions. The MACTAR interview had promising measurement properties and identified patient preference disabilities in PM/DM that were not covered by recommended outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Alemo Munters
- Department of Physical Therapy, Karolinska University Hospital, 171 76 Stockholm, Sweden
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Smolen JS, Boers M, Abadie EC, Breedveld FC, Emery P, Bardin T, Goel N, Ethgen DJ, Avouac BP, Dere WH, Durez P, Matucci-Cerinic M, Flamion B, Laslop A, Lekkerkerker FJ, Miossec P, Mitlak BH, Ormarsdóttir S, Paolozzi L, Rao R, Reiter S, Tsouderos Y, Reginster JY. Recommendations for an update of 2003 European regulatory requirements for registration of drugs to be used in the treatment of RA. Curr Med Res Opin 2011; 27:315-25. [PMID: 21142618 DOI: 10.1185/03007995.2010.542135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Since 2003, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) document, 'Points to consider on clinical investigation of medicinal products other than NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis' has provided guidance for the clinical development of both biologic and non-biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). In the last few years, several new products have been developed or are in development for the treatment of RA, which offer significant efficacy with regard to disease control, including prevention of structural damage and disability. Concurrently, novel insights have been gained with respect to the assessment of disease activity, joint damage and disability. New treatment strategies have been established which relate to early therapy, tight control and rapid switching of medication. Accordingly, several new EULAR/ACR recommendations have been or are being developed. Several important additions and changes are needed in the 2003 guidance to incorporate the current scientific knowledge into clinical trial design for the development of future products. Under the auspices of the Group for the Respect of Ethics and Excellence in Science (GREES), a group of experts in the field of RA and clinical trial design met to provide a consensus recommendation for an update to the 2003 EMA guidance document.
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Fransen J, van Riel PLCM. The Disease Activity Score and the EULAR response criteria. Rheum Dis Clin North Am 2010; 35:745-57, vii-viii. [PMID: 19962619 DOI: 10.1016/j.rdc.2009.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 249] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The Disease Activity Score (DAS), its modified version the DAS28, and the DAS-based European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria are well-known measures of disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The DAS is a clinical index of RA disease activity that combines information from swollen joints, tender joints, the acute phase response, and general health. The EULAR response criteria classify individual patients as non-, moderate, or good responders, depending on the extent of change and the level of disease activity reached. The DAS, DAS28, and EULAR response criteria have been validated extensively. For daily practice, it has been shown that a tight control strategy, including measurement of disease activity using the DAS and planned adjustment of antirheumatic medication, is an effective strategy for RA. This article summarizes the development and validation of the DAS and DAS28 and their use in clinical trials and practice for the clinician.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaap Fransen
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, NL-6500HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Pearson D. Data Analysis and Presentation: Writing a Paper for Publication. Clin Trials 2008. [DOI: 10.1007/978-1-84628-742-8_12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Bansback N, Ara R, Karnon J, Anis A. Economic evaluations in rheumatoid arthritis: a critical review of measures used to define health States. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2008; 26:395-408. [PMID: 18429656 DOI: 10.2165/00019053-200826050-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
We reviewed the clinical measures used in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) economic evaluations with respect to their relevance and sensitivity to changes in survival, health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and costs. We compared the measures from the economic perspective and discussed the validity of methods used to extrapolate beyond the trial data. Cost-effectiveness evaluations of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in RA were identified by searching MEDLINE, EMBASE, Econlit and NHS EED databases. Studies were retained if they extrapolated beyond randomized controlled trial evidence using relationships between clinical measures, costs and utilities. In the 22 studies identified, clinical severity was measured using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) response criteria, the Disease Activity Score (DAS) or a combination of the HAQ and DAS. The HAQ is correlated with mortality, costs and HR-QOL instruments, and several studies used linear relationships to model these associations. However, a polynomial relationship or discrete states may be more appropriate for patients at the extremes of the disease spectrum, and numerous HAQ health states may be required to capture differences in mortality risk. While the ACR response criteria is a more comprehensive measure than the HAQ, it is a relative measure, which creates difficulties when estimating absolute changes in HR-QOL, costs and mortality risk. The evidence base linking DAS scores with HR-QOL instruments, costs and mortality is less robust, possibly due to the comparatively recent development of the measure and the limited number of possible scores (mild/moderate/severe). While there is some evidence of a relationship between DAS scores and costs, the DAS does not capture all aspects of HR-QOL, and no significant relationship has been established with mortality risk. Evidence suggests the HAQ to be the primary clinical measure for use in economic evaluations as it is measured in almost all clinical studies, and is closely correlated to health utilities, mortality and costs. While new developments suggest the sensitivity of health states may be improved by combining the HAQ with measures such as the DAS, further research is required in this area. Further research is also required to explore the advantages in using either continuous or discrete health states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Bansback
- Centre for Health Evaluation and Outcome Sciences, St Paul's Hospital, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
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Abstract
Clinical assessment of established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can have several purposes. It can be used to evaluate prognosis, disease course or interventions at both the individual and the group level (i.e. in a clinical trial), over the short or long term. The instruments used for the different purposes are not always the same. For example, information on prognosis is very useful when assessing the risk:benefit ratio of early aggressive pharmacotherapy; however, established prognostic factors are currently of limited use in individual patients with established RA. As, at the individual patient level, disease activity, disability and joint damage have variable courses, the course of the disease should be evaluated regularly both with process (i.e. erythrocyte sedimentation rate, joint counts) and with outcome (i.e. radiological progression, sum of past process) measures. For the evaluation of interventions, 'core sets' of valid measures to assess disease activity, outcome and specific criteria for improvement are used; these can, to some extent, be useful in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Piet L C M van Riel
- Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Department of Rheumatology, PO Box 9101, 6500HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Vander Cruyssen B, De Keyser F, Kruithof E, Mielants H, Van den Bosch F. Comparison of different outcome measures for psoriatic arthritis in patients treated with infliximab or placebo. Ann Rheum Dis 2007; 66:138-40. [PMID: 17178763 PMCID: PMC1798420 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2006.055541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Aletaha D, Smolen J, Ward MM. Measuring function in rheumatoid arthritis: Identifying reversible and irreversible components. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 54:2784-92. [PMID: 16947781 DOI: 10.1002/art.22052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 184] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Measurement of physical function at one point in time cannot distinguish impairment caused by the active disease process from chronic irreversible impairment. We aimed to dissect these two components of functional limitation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by using the disability index of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) as the measure of function. METHODS We performed a secondary analysis of data from 6 contemporary clinical trials of RA (2,763 patients). Patients in whom remission was achieved in the trials, based on a simplified disease activity index, were identified. In an individual patient, HAQ scores at trial entry represented both reversible and irreversible impairments, while HAQ scores at the time of RA remission represented the mostly irreversible component, and the difference between these corresponded to the component related to disease activity. We tested the concept that the HAQ has a reversible and an irreversible component by associating the HAQ score during remission with 2 measures associated with the degree of accrued damage: duration of RA and radiographic severity. RESULTS Among patients in whom clinical remission was achieved (n = 295), average HAQ scores despite clinical remission increased progressively with the duration of RA, from 0.19 (<2 years of RA) to 0.36 (2-<5 years) to 0.38 (5-<10 years) to 0.55 (>/=10 years) (P < 0.001). The reversibility of HAQ scores decreased with the duration of RA (median 100%, 83.3%, 81.9%, and 66.7%, respectively; P < 0.001). Findings were similar in patients subgrouped by quartile of radiographic scores. CONCLUSION Differences in the sources of functional limitations should be considered in the interpretation of functional measures, and in their use for prediction and in cost analyses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Aletaha
- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, NIH, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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Lurati A, Pontikaki I, Teruzzi B, Desiati F, Gerloni V, Gattinara M, Cimaz R, Fantini F. A comparison of response criteria to evaluate therapeutic response in patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis treated with methotrexate and/or anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha agents. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2006; 54:1602-7. [PMID: 16646003 DOI: 10.1002/art.21784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE There are no validated criteria to evaluate clinical response in juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). The purpose of this study was to compare 4 sets of criteria (2 from the American College of Rheumatology [ACR] and 2 from the European League Against Rheumatism [EULAR]) for clinical response evaluation in JIA patients treated with methotrexate and/or anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha drugs. METHODS Seventy-five patients with JIA were evaluated at baseline and after 6 months of therapy with second-line drugs. Mean age at study onset was 12.8 years (range 2-32.9 years). Diagnoses were systemic JIA (n = 16), rheumatoid factor-positive JIA (n = 5), rheumatoid factor-negative JIA (n = 9), persistent oligoarticular JIA (n = 10), extended oligoarticular JIA (n = 33), and psoriatic arthritis (n = 2). Clinical response was evaluated with the ACR Pediatric 30 criteria and the ACR 20% response criteria (ACR20), and with the EULAR Disease Activity Score (DAS) and 28-joint DAS (DAS28). Patients with EULAR criteria responses of "good" or "moderate" were classified as responders. Responders and nonresponders according to the different criteria were then compared. RESULTS For patients younger than 16 years, Cohen's kappa varied between 0.51 and 0.72, with a good-to-excellent reproducibility index for all comparisons, except for the DAS28/ACR20 comparison. The best agreement was obtained by comparing the DAS and the ACR Pediatric 30. For patients older than 16 years, the reproducibility index was good or excellent in only 2 cases, i.e., comparing the DAS and the ACR Pediatric 30 and comparing the DAS and the DAS28 (as expected). CONCLUSION Our study shows a good agreement overall for the different criteria tested. The highest concordance was observed between the DAS and the ACR Pediatric 30, the lowest between the DAS28 and the ACR20. Our data suggest that the ACR Pediatric 30 criteria can be used also in adult patients affected by JIA, and that the original DAS can be an alternative to the ACR Pediatric 30 in both children and young adults with JIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Lurati
- Gaetano Pini Institute, Milan, Italy.
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Fransen J, Antoni C, Mease PJ, Uter W, Kavanaugh A, Kalden JR, Van Riel PLCM. Performance of response criteria for assessing peripheral arthritis in patients with psoriatic arthritis: analysis of data from randomised controlled trials of two tumour necrosis factor inhibitors. Ann Rheum Dis 2006; 65:1373-8. [PMID: 16644783 PMCID: PMC1798317 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2006.051706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In recent clinical trials in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), the response criteria and disease activity measures that have been used were those developed for rheumatoid arthritis. However, these have not yet been validated in PsA. OBJECTIVE To compare the responsiveness and discriminative capacity of the psoriatic arthritis response criteria (PsARC), American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) response criteria and the Disease Activity Score (DAS) and core-set measures in patients with PsA and peripheral arthritis, using the data from two randomised placebo-controlled trials of tumour necrosis factor inhibitors. METHODS In an infliximab trial, 104 patients with active PsA were randomised to receive placebo or infliximab for 16 weeks. In an etanercept trial, 60 patients with active PsA were randomised to receive placebo or etanercept for 12 weeks. Data from baseline and the end of the intervention phase were used from each study. Responsiveness was assessed using the standardised response mean and effect size. Capacity to discriminate between the active drug and placebo was assessed using t values or a chi2 test. Measures were ranked in order of their t value or chi2 value. RESULTS The EULAR criteria performed better in discriminating the active drug from placebo than the ACR20 improvement criteria, which in turn performed better than the PsARC. It was also found that the pooled indices (DAS and DAS28) were generally more responsive, and performed better in discriminating active drug from placebo, than the single core-set measures. CONCLUSION Response criteria and pooled indices developed for rheumatoid arthritis are useful for the assessment of arthritis in PsA clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Fransen
- Department of Rheumatology, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, PO Box 9101, NL-6500HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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Campbell H, Rivero-Arias O, Johnston K, Gray A, Fairbank J, Frost H. Responsiveness of objective, disease-specific, and generic outcome measures in patients with chronic low back pain: an assessment for improving, stable, and deteriorating patients. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 2006; 31:815-22. [PMID: 16582856 DOI: 10.1097/01.brs.0000207257.64215.03] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
STUDY DESIGN Analysis of outcome data collected prospectively from 250 patients recruited to the UK Spine Stabilization Trial. OBJECTIVES To compare the responsiveness of the Shuttle Walking Test (SWT), which is an objective outcome measure, with that of a disease-specific (the Oswestry Disability Index) and 2 generic (the EQ-5D and SF-36) instruments in patients with chronic low back pain (LBP). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Studies assessing the performance of subjective disease-specific and generic measures have increased in recent years, although there is a paucity of research reporting the responsiveness of objective measures in patients with LBP. The focus of investigation has been on responsiveness to improvements in LBP symptoms. For patients with deteriorating health, it remains largely unclear how outcome instruments perform. METHODS Baseline and 12-month outcome data collected on 250 patients with chronic LBP recruited to the Spine Stabilization Trial were analyzed using traditional measures of responsiveness. Analyses were performed for 3 groups of patients: those who rated their health status as improved, deteriorated, and stable at 12 months. RESULTS The SWT was shown by all measures to be responsive to health improvement, although less so than other instruments. All instruments were able to detect small-to-moderate reductions in health. Instrument floor effects may be responsible for small SF-36 change scores recorded for deteriorating patients. CONCLUSIONS Although shown to be responsive, including the SWT alongside disease-specific and generic instruments is unlikely to add additional information. All instruments appear responsive to patient deterioration, however, further research for the SF-36 is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Campbell
- Health Economics Research Centre, Department of Public Health, University of Oxford, United Kingdom.
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Ramsey S, Willke R, Briggs A, Brown R, Buxton M, Chawla A, Cook J, Glick H, Liljas B, Petitti D, Reed S. Good research practices for cost-effectiveness analysis alongside clinical trials: the ISPOR RCT-CEA Task Force report. VALUE IN HEALTH : THE JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR PHARMACOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2005; 8:521-33. [PMID: 16176491 DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4733.2005.00045.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 503] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES A growing number of prospective clinical trials include economic end points. Recognizing the variation in methodology and reporting of these studies, the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) chartered the Task Force on Good Research Practices: Randomized Clinical Trials-Cost-Effectiveness Analysis. Its goal was to develop a guidance document for designing, conducting, and reporting cost-effectiveness analyses conducted as a part of clinical trials. METHODS Task force cochairs were selected by the ISPOR Board of Directors. Cochairs invited panel members to participate. Panel members included representatives from academia, the pharmaceutical industry, and health insurance plans. An outline and a draft report developed by the panel were presented at the 2004 International and European ISPOR meetings, respectively. The manuscript was then submitted to a reference group for review and comment. RESULTS The report addresses issues related to trial design, selecting data elements, database design and management, analysis, and reporting of results. Task force members agreed that trials should be designed to evaluate effectiveness (rather than efficacy), should include clinical outcome measures, and should obtain health resource use and health state utilities directly from study subjects. Collection of economic data should be fully integrated into the study. Analyses should be guided by an analysis plan and hypotheses. An incremental analysis should be conducted with an intention-to-treat approach. Uncertainty should be characterized. Manuscripts should adhere to established standards for reporting results of cost-effectiveness analyses. CONCLUSIONS Trial-based cost-effectiveness studies have appeal because of their high internal validity and timeliness. Improving the quality and uniformity of these studies will increase their value to decision makers who consider evidence of economic value along with clinical efficacy when making resource allocation decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott Ramsey
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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Heiberg MS, Nordvåg BY, Mikkelsen K, Rødevand E, Kaufmann C, Mowinckel P, Kvien TK. The comparative effectiveness of tumor necrosis factor-blocking agents in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and patients with ankylosing spondylitis: a six-month, longitudinal, observational, multicenter study. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 52:2506-12. [PMID: 16052584 DOI: 10.1002/art.21209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the effectiveness of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-blocking agents (etanercept and infliximab) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS Data from an ongoing longitudinal, observational study in Norway were used to assess changes in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with RA (n = 291) and AS (n = 62). Patients received anti-TNF therapy, and changes in scores on the Short Form 36 (SF-36), SF-6D, modified Health Assessment Questionnaire, and visual analog scales for patients' assessments of pain, fatigue, and global status from baseline to followup examinations at 3 and 6 months were compared. Data were adjusted for age, sex, and baseline values and are presented as crude estimates as well as standardized response means. RESULTS Both groups had improvements in all measures at 3 and 6 months. At 3 months, the changes were significantly better in the AS group compared with the RA group for all measures except the SF-36 social functioning scores. At 6 months, all changes were numerically greater in the AS group. Differences were significant for the SF-36 role emotional scores and were borderline significant for the SF-36 physical functioning, role physical, and vitality scores and for the SF-6D scores. CONCLUSION In this real-life setting, patients with AS experienced improvement in HRQOL that was comparable to, and sometimes greater than, that observed in RA patients. These results support the idea that patients with AS should have the same access to TNF-blocking agents as patients with RA.
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Bansback NJ, Regier DA, Ara R, Brennan A, Shojania K, Esdaile JM, Anis AH, Marra CA. An overview of economic evaluations for drugs used in rheumatoid arthritis : focus on tumour necrosis factor-alpha antagonists. Drugs 2005; 65:473-96. [PMID: 15733011 DOI: 10.2165/00003495-200565040-00004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic, progressive, inflammatory disease that affects approximately 0.5-1% of the adult population. The introduction of new disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) such as leflunomide, anakinra and the tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha antagonists (infliximab, etanercept and adalimumab) have transformed the management of RA. In particular, the last class of agents has generated substantial controversy. Costing between 16,000 US dollars and 20,000 US dollars per patient-year (2001 values), the potential greater efficacy of treatment with TNFalpha antagonists comes at much higher drug costs, making these agents natural candidates for cost-effectiveness analyses (CEAs).A MEDLINE search (until 31 January 2004) identified six original CEAs evaluating TNFalpha antagonists in RA. The aim of a CEA is to facilitate the allocation of scarce health resources and to inform policy decisions. However, to enhance the reliability and relevance of these analyses to policy makers, there must be similarity between the methodologies used. Recently, the OMERACT (Outcome Measures in Rheumatoid Arthritis Clinical Trials) group produced a document to define such a reference case; the OMERACT document was used as a foundation to structure comparisons and highlight discrepancies. The methodologies employed in each analysis differed; in particular, disparate time horizons, comparators, quantities of drug and treatment sequences prohibit the comparison of cost effectiveness between studies. Outcomes also differed between the analyses. Most reported health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). The QALYs metric was based on preference scores that were typically derived from linear regressions using the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ). However, models also used American College of Rheumatology (ACR) criteria, as well as the disease activity score (DAS). Common to all studies was the lack of data from long-term randomised studies where efficacy and resource consumption in comparison with standard care has been investigated. As such, investigators combined short-term randomised control trial data with that of a long-term observational cohort, and modelled cost effectiveness over an appropriate time horizon. In addition, most analyses lacked rigorous sensitivity analysis to examine the impact of uncertainty in the parameters. Those analyses that examined time horizons of 6 months and 1 year published incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) of 34,800 US dollars per ACR 70% response criteria (ACR70) weighted response (duration 6 months, 1999 values) and 96,166 US dollars (duration 1 year, 2002 values). Analyses that modelled costs and health outcomes beyond the first year reported ICER estimates ranging between 26,800 US dollars (patients' lifetime, 1998 values) and 40,308 US dollars (10 years, 2002 values). In terms of HR-QOL, the analyses reported incremental QALYs that ranged from 0.116 (over 19 years) to 1.6 (over 10 years). Discounted costs of therapy ranged from 30,362 US dollars (10 years, 2002 values) to 93,000 US dollars (22 years, 1998 values), and comparator costs ranged from 22,593 US dollars (10 years, 2002 values) to 84,000 US dollars (22 years, 1998 values).
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick J Bansback
- Health Economics and Decision Science, School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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Gülfe A, Geborek P, Saxne T. Response criteria for rheumatoid arthritis in clinical practice: how useful are they? Ann Rheum Dis 2005; 64:1186-9. [PMID: 15760931 PMCID: PMC1755621 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2004.027649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the performance of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR), and simple disease activity index (SDAI) response criteria for rheumatoid arthritis at the individual level in an observational cohort. METHODS 184 outpatients were followed using a structured protocol. For each patient, the responses according to ACR 20% and 50%, EULAR moderate and good, and SDAI minor and major responses were calculated. For comparison, improvements in health assessment questionnaire (HAQ) score of 0.22 and 0.5 were calculated. The numbers of individuals fulfilling the criteria at each level were compared, and the numbers fulfilling any two sets of response criteria calculated. The EULAR "moderate" and "good" responses were grouped together as "overall," and SDAI "minor" and "major" were merged into SDAI "overall". RESULTS All 94 ACR 20 responders were found in the EULAR and SDAI "overall" response groups, and 118 of 124 SDAI "overall" responders were found in the EULAR "overall" group. In contrast, of 53 ACR 50 responders, only 34 were found in the EULAR "good" or SDAI "major" group. Among the 56 patients in the EULAR "good" response group, only 26 met the SDAI "major" response. Improvement in HAQ score performed similarly to the other response criteria sets at the group levels. CONCLUSIONS For individual patients, agreement is good at the level of ACR 20 response, when EULAR overall, SDAI overall, or HAQ 0.22 criteria are applied. Agreement between ACR 50, EULAR good, SDAI major, and HAQ 0.5 response is poor. This should be considered when response criteria are used for clinical decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Gülfe
- Department of Rheumatology, Lund University Hospital, SE-221 85 Lund, Sweden.
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Boers M. Use of the American College of Rheumatology N (ACR-N) index of improvement in rheumatoid arthritis: Argument in opposition. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 52:1642-5. [PMID: 15934132 DOI: 10.1002/art.21106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Boers
- VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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Grigor C, Capell H, Stirling A, McMahon AD, Lock P, Vallance R, Kincaid W, Porter D. Effect of a treatment strategy of tight control for rheumatoid arthritis (the TICORA study): a single-blind randomised controlled trial. Lancet 2004; 364:263-9. [PMID: 15262104 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(04)16676-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 936] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Present treatment strategies for rheumatoid arthritis include use of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, but a minority of patients achieve a good response. We aimed to test the hypothesis that an improved outcome can be achieved by employing a strategy of intensive outpatient management of patients with rheumatoid arthritis--for sustained, tight control of disease activity--compared with routine outpatient care. METHODS We designed a single-blind, randomised controlled trial in two teaching hospitals. We screened 183 patients for inclusion. 111 were randomly allocated either intensive management or routine care. Primary outcome measures were mean fall in disease activity score and proportion of patients with a good response (defined as a disease activity score <2.4 and a fall in this score from baseline by >1.2). Analysis was by intention-to-treat. FINDINGS One patient withdrew after randomisation and seven dropped out during the study. Mean fall in disease activity score was greater in the intensive group than in the routine group (-3.5 vs -1.9, difference 1.6 [95% CI 1.1-2.1], p<0.0001). Compared with routine care, patients treated intensively were more likely to have a good response (definition, 45/55 [82%] vs 24/55 [44%], odds ratio 5.8 [95% CI 2.4-13.9], p<0.0001) or be in remission (disease activity score <1.6; 36/55 [65%] vs 9/55 [16%], 9.7 [3.9-23.9], p<0.0001). Three patients assigned routine care and one allocated intensive management died during the study; none was judged attributable to treatment. INTERPRETATION A strategy of intensive outpatient management of rheumatoid arthritis substantially improves disease activity, radiographic disease progression, physical function, and quality of life at no additional cost.
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Taylor WJ, Myers J, Simpson RT, McPherson KM, Weatherall M. Quality of life of people with rheumatoid arthritis as measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument, Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF): Score distributions and psychometric properties. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) 2004; 51:350-7. [PMID: 15188318 DOI: 10.1002/art.20398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the psychometric properties, including responsiveness, of the World Health Organization Quality of Life instrument, short form (WHOQOL-BREF) in people with rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS A sample of 142 persons with rheumatoid arthritis were randomly selected from a regional disease register and completed questionnaires by postal survey. An additional sample of 72 consecutive inpatients completed questionnaires a few days prior to admission, the day of admission, the day of discharge, and 2 weeks following discharge. RESULTS Test-retest reliability was adequate (intraclass correlation coefficient 0.71-0.91). Internal consistency was adequate except for the social relationships domain (Cronbach's alpha 0.64-0.87). Factor structure was fairly similar to that previously reported. Correlation with other measures of quality of life was supportive of concurrent validity. Indices of responsiveness were satisfactory except for the social relationships and environment domains, although there was actually no statistical difference in the area under a receiver operating characteristic plot between the WHOQOL-BREF domains and the Health Assessment Questionnaire. CONCLUSION The WHOQOL-BREF has adequate psychometric properties in people with rheumatoid arthritis and should be considered a valid outcome measure for interventions that aim to improve quality of life for people with this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- William J Taylor
- Department of Medicine, Wellington School of Medicine, University of Otago, New Zealand.
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Fransen J, van Riel PLCM. Are better endpoints and better design of clinical trials needed? Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2004; 18:97-109. [PMID: 15123040 DOI: 10.1016/j.berh.2003.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
For the clinician it is important to know whether a new drug works, and how the new drug performs against other drugs. However, new drugs are typically tested in placebo-controlled trials without active comparison. New drugs are often tested in a population with high levels of disease activity. Clinicians, however, may also seek the optimal treatment for patients with persistent moderate levels of disease activity. An answer may come from clinical trials that compare two effective drugs in patients with moderate disease activity. A main consequence, however, is that trial endpoints are needed that can detect small but relevant differences in efficacy. An ideal endpoint for trials in rheumatic diseases may be a marker that continually follows short-term changes in the disease process. The levels of the marker should be strongly associated with long-term outcome, thus prognosticating the future. When it can be measured truly and feasible, the marker would be useful as an endpoint in trials and for supporting treatment decisions in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaap Fransen
- University Medical Centre Nijmegen, Department of Rheumatology, P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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