Development of comprehensive disease assessment in systemic vasculitis. (25th May 2006)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Flossmann, Oliver; Bacon, Paul; de Groot, Kirsten; Jayne, David; Rasmussen, Niels; Seo, Philip; Westman, Kerstin; Luqmani, Raashid
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 66(2007)Supplement 3
• Page Start: 283
• Page End: 292
• Publication Date: 2006-05-25
• Subjects: ANCA, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody -- BVAS, Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score -- BVAS/WG, Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score for Wegener's granulomatosis -- DEI, Disease Extent Index -- EUVAS, European Vasculitis Study Group -- FFS, Five Factor Score -- ITU, intensive treatment unit -- OMERACT, Outcome Measures for Arthritis Clinical Trials -- VDI, Vasculitis Damage Index; Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.2005.051078
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : The systemic vasculitides are multisystem disorders with considerable mortality and morbidity and frequent relapses. In the absence of reliable serological markers, accurate clinical tools are required to assess disease activity and damage for treatment decisions, and for the performance of clinical trials. This article reviews and summarises the development and use of disease assessment tools for determining activity and damage in systemic vasculitis and reports ongoing initiatives for further development of disease assessment tools. A literature search was conducted using PubMed and reference lists for vasculitis, assessment, clinical trials, outcome and prognosis. The findings indicate that comprehensive disease assessment in vasculitis requires documentation of disease activity, chronic irreversible damage and impairment of function.