Results from rounds 1 and 2 of the Delphi study of core domains for PMR. Numbers given are percentages of respondents selecting each outcome. Domains with > 70% agreement are highlighted in bold face; for each group (clinicians or patients), only domains with 20%–69% agreement in round 1 went forward to round 2. Bold face denotes that with > 70% agreement from either group in round 1 or round 2, the domain went forward into the combined round 3.
| Domain | Round 1 Clinicians, n = 60 | Round 1 Patients, n = 55 | Round 2 Clinicians, n = 55 | Round 2 Patients, n = 46 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pain/ache | 90 | 78 | — | — |
| Stiffness severity | 56 | 56 | 53 | 74 |
| Morning stiffness duration | 68 | 36 | 85 | 43 |
| Muscle weakness | 12 | 53 | — | 80 |
| Fatigue/tiredness | 49 | 73 | 65 | — |
| Sleep disturbance | 10 | 35 | — | 57 |
| Mood problems, low or “high” | 3 | 20 | — | 37 |
| Anxiety | 3 | 33 | — | 30 |
| Weight loss/gain | 25 | 33 | 27 | 48 |
| Appetite loss/gain | 3 | 11 | — | — |
| Balance problems | 2 | 7 | — | — |
| Fevers/shivers/sweats/flu-like symptoms | 12 | 15 | — | — |
| Ability to do everyday activities | 51 | 55 | 65 | 74 |
| Lack of mobility | 25 | 35 | 7 | 59 |
| Dependence on stick, wheelchair, etc. | 0 | 2 | — | — |
| Dependence on other people | 5 | 9 | — | — |
| Ability to carry out usual roles (work, caring for others, etc.) | 20 | 35 | 16 | 37 |
| Health-related quality of life | 50 | 24 | 76 | 39 |
| Overall quality of life | 27 | 51 | 13 | 72 |
| Change in appearance of face or body | 8 | 22 | — | 41 |
| Fluid retention/ankle swelling | 2 | 9 | — | — |
| Bruising, poor healing, or other skin change | 5 | 24 | — | 50 |
| Doctor’s assessment of activity/severity of PMR | 59 | 60 | 71 | 83 |
| Patient’s assessment of activity/severity of PMR | 76 | 42 | — | 76 |
| Blood tests | 86 | 40 | — | 70 |
| Abnormalities identified by physical examination by a doctor | 22 | 7 | 20 | — |
| Abnormalities identified by imaging tests | 36 | 20 | 29 | 33 |
| Bone fragility | 27 | 13 | 29 | — |
| New or worsening diabetes mellitus | 14 | 5 | — | — |
| High blood pressure | 12 | 11 | — | — |
| Cost of treatments used in the study | 31 | 18 | 13 | — |
| Overall costs to the healthcare provider | 36 | 24 | 22 | 11 |
| Overall costs to society | 56 | 40 | 55 | 20 |
| Any glucocorticoid-related adverse effect in judgment of doctor | — | — | 46 | 63 |
| Any glucocorticoid-related adverse effect in judgment of patient | — | — | 23 | 80 |
“ — ” means the question was not asked in that round. PMR: polymyalgia rheumatica.