Improving outcome assessment in pediatric vasculitis

Abstract

Reliable assessment of a chronic multisystem disease is a prerequisite for its optimal management as well as for conducting collaborative studies. The core set of outcome measures has been identified for the assessment of small vessel vasculitis in adults. Chronic systemic vasculitides in childhood are rare, but severe conditions that urgently need systematic evaluation. This is only possible when pediatric-specific disease classification has been completed and appropriate instruments developed. Previous work on disease assessment in other pediatric rheumatic diseases and adult vasculitis has formed a background for the development of pediatric vasculitis measures of disease activity and damage. The Paediatric Vasculitis Activity Score, derived from the adults’ Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score version 3, has been preliminarily validated. The Paediatric Vasculitis Damage Index based on the adult Vasculitis Damage Index is a tool that is under development. Patient-reported outcome assessment in vasculit...