AB1578-PARE A PATIENT-REPORTED OUTCOME SCALE: RASQ FOR MEASURING SYMPTOMS OF RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Abstract

BackgroundPatient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments are used to assess the patient experience of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) symptoms and impacts and can capture RA treatments effects. Also, there are often discrepancies between patient and physician perspectives.ObjectivesThe objective of our study was to proceed with a psychometric evaluation of patients with RA using the Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom Questionnaire (RASQ).MethodsAdults with clinically confirmed RA, as defined by the ACR/EULAR criteria, were recruited for this cross-sectional study, and then completed the RASQ. Medical records were reviewed, clinical features, treatments, and outcomes were analyzed.ResultsIn total 28subjects (82% females) with RA were included. The meanagewas58.5years (31-79 years). Comorbiditieswerepresentin86 %, diabetes (50%), high blood pressure (32,1%), dyslipidemia (25%), thyroid disease (3,7%), Depression (7.1%).The mean duration since RA diagnosiswas9,8 years. Almost all the patients had at least one of the disease severity criteria, high level of CRP (76%), radiographic erosion (96%), C1-C2 involvement (18%), or hip involvement (14,2%). All of the patients received CsDMARDs and biological therapy. Disease activity evaluated by the DAS28 score was in remission or very low disease activity in 38%, moderate (46%), and high (16%). Functional impact evaluated by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)was an average of 1.1 (0.2–3). The RASQ total symptomwas6.6 (2-10). The mean of each item was joint pain (5.4), joint swelling (5.5), joint stiffness (6.1), joint tenderness (4.1), joint warmth (4.3), muscle pain (6), tiredness (5.7). The RASQ total symptom was statistically significantly different (p=0.01) across the DAS28severityrankings but only the first two single items of the RASQ were not statistically significantly different (p=0.9 and p=1,6). A medium positive correlation was found between subjects’ HAQ score and the total symptom score of the RASQ (r=0,38).ConclusionThe primary goal of treating patients with RA is to maximize the long-term health-related quality of life. In this order, measurement of all of the signs and symptoms of RA that are significant and relevant to patients living with the disease is important to achieve this main objective.Disclosure of InterestsNone declared