RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Proposal for a Candidate Core Set of Fitness and Strength Tests for Patients with Childhood or Adult Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies JF The Journal of Rheumatology JO J Rheumatol FD The Journal of Rheumatology SP jrheum.150270 DO 10.3899/jrheum.150270 A1 Djamilla K.D. van der Stap A1 Lisa G. Rider A1 Helene Alexanderson A1 Adam M. Huber A1 Bruno Gualano A1 Patrick Gordon A1 Janjaap van der Net A1 Pernille Mathiesen A1 Liam G. Johnson A1 Floranne C. Ernste A1 Brian M. Feldman A1 Kristin M. Houghton A1 Davinder Singh-Grewal A1 Abraham Garcia Kutzbach A1 Li Alemo Munters A1 Tim Takken YR 2015 UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/early/2015/11/09/jrheum.150270.abstract AB Objective Currently there are no evidence-based recommendations regarding fitness and strength tests for patients with childhood or adult idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM). This hinders clinicians and researchers in choosing the appropriate fitness- or muscle strength-related outcome measures for these patients. Through a Delphi survey, we aimed to identify a candidate core set of fitness and strength tests for children and adults with IIM. Methods Fifteen experts participated in a Delphi survey that consisted of 5 stages to achieve a consensus. Using an extensive search of published literature and through the work of experts, a candidate core set based on expert opinion and clinimetrics properties was developed. Members of the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group were invited to review this candidate core set during the final stage, which led to a final candidate core set. Results A core set of fitness- and strength-related outcome measures was identified for children and adults with IIM. For both children and adults, different tests were identified and selected for maximal aerobic fitness, submaximal aerobic fitness, anaerobic fitness, muscle strength tests, and muscle function tests. Conclusion The core set of fitness- and strength-related outcome measures provided by this expert consensus process will assist practitioners and researchers in deciding which tests to use in patients with IIM. This will improve the uniformity of fitness and strength tests across studies, thereby facilitating the comparison of study results and therapeutic exercise program outcomes among patients with IIM.