RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Routine Use of Quantitative Disease Activity Measurements among US Rheumatologists: Implications for Treat-to-target Management Strategies in Rheumatoid Arthritis
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 40
OP 44
DO 10.3899/jrheum.170548
VO 45
IS 1
A1 Jeffrey R. Curtis
A1 Lang Chen
A1 Maria I. Danila
A1 Kenneth G. Saag
A1 Kathy L. Parham
A1 John J. Cush
YR 2018
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/45/1/40.abstract
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.