PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Jeffrey R. Curtis
AU  - Lang Chen
AU  - Maria I. Danila
AU  - Kenneth G. Saag
AU  - Kathy L. Parham
AU  - John J. Cush
TI  - Routine Use of Quantitative Disease Activity Measurements among US Rheumatologists: Implications for Treat-to-target Management Strategies in Rheumatoid Arthritis
AID  - 10.3899/jrheum.170548
DP  - 2018 Jan 01
TA  - The Journal of Rheumatology
PG  - 40--44
VI  - 45
IP  - 1
4099  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/45/1/40.short
4100  - http://www.jrheum.org/content/45/1/40.full
SO  - J Rheumatol2018 Jan 01; 45
AB  - Objective. The aim of our study was to examine why real-world practices and attitudes regarding quantitative measurements of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have received limited attention.Methods. An e-mail survey asked US rheumatologists to self-report on their use of quantitative measurements (metric).Results. Among 439 respondents, metric rheumatologists (58%) were more likely to be in group practice and to use tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. The quantitative tools most commonly used were the Health Assessment Questionnaire (35.5%) and the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (27.1%). Reasons for not measuring included time needed and electronic availability. Based on simulated case scenarios, providing more quantitative information increased the likelihood that a patient would change to a different disease-modifying antirheumatic drug or biologic.Conclusion. Routine use of quantitative measurement for patients in the United States with RA is increasing over time but remains low.