QUEST-RA: quantitative clinical assessment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis seen in standard rheumatology care in 15 countries. Issue 11 (5th April 2007)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sokka, Tuulikki; Kautiainen, Hannu; Toloza, Sergio; Mäkinen, Heidi; Verstappen, Suzan M M; Lund Hetland, Merete; Naranjo, Antonio; Baecklund, Eva; Herborn, Gertraud; Rau, Rolf; Cazzato, Massimiliano; Gossec, Laure; Skakic, Vlado; Gogus, Feride; Sierakowski, Stanislaw; Bresnihan, Barry; Taylor, Peter; McClinton, Catherine; Pincus, Theodore
• Is Part Of: Annals of the rheumatic diseases. Volume 66:Issue 11(2007)
• Page Start: 1491
• Page End: 1496
• Publication Date: 2007-04-05
• Subjects: Rheumatism -- Periodicals; 616.723005
• DOI: 10.1136/ard.2006.069252
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-4967

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To conduct a cross-sectional review of non-selected consecutive outpatients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) as part of standard clinical care in 15 countries for an overview of the characteristics of patients with RA. Methods: The review included current disease activity using data from clinical assessment and a patient self-report questionnaire, which was translated into each language. Data on demographic, disease and treatment-related variables were collected and analysed using descriptive statistics. Variation in disease activity on DAS28 (disease activity score on 28-joint count) within and between countries was graphically analysed. A median regression model was applied to analyse differences in disease activity between countries. Results: Between January 2005 and October 2006, the QUEST-RA (Quantitative Patient Questionnaires in Standard Monitoring of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis) project included 4363 patients from 48 sites in 15 countries; 78% were female, >90% Caucasian, mean age was 57 years and mean disease duration was 11.5 years. More than 80% of patients had been treated with methotrexate in all but three countries. Overall, patients had an active disease with a median DAS28 of 4.0, with a significant variation between countries (p<0.001). Among 42 sites with >50 patients included, low disease activity of DAS28 ⩽3.2 was found in the majority of patients in seven sites in five countries; in eight sites in five other countries, >50% of patients had high disease activity of DAS28 >5.1. Conclusions: This international multicentre cross-sectional database provides an overview of clinical status and treatments of patients with RA in standard clinical care in 2005–6 including countries that are infrequently involved in clinical research projects.