Are patients dependable in measuring their disease activity?

Abstract EN

Objective : the objective of the study was to examine whether the patient derived disease activity score (DAS) might substitute a physician derived DAS in clinical settings.

Methodology : Fifty consecutive ambulatory RA patients were examined by one physician.

RF, CRP, ESR and x-rays of the hands and wrists were recorded.

Patients completed the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Rapid Assessment Disease Activity Index (RADAI).

Results : there was a good inter-observer agreement between patient and physician derived DAS (r = 0.91, p < 0.0001).

This explained 83 % of the variance.

Patients' assessments, including the RADAI, were associated with their fatigue score (r = 0.28-0.39).

Both physician's and patients' assessments showed strong relationships to the HAQ (r = - 0.38-0.57) Conclusion: The agreement between physician and patient assessments is sufficient for clinical research.

It needs pilot testing in population studies or in clinical practice.

A patient derived DAS may, however, not substitute a physician derived DAS in all patients.