Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire Scores Research Articles

PROMIS-29 in rheumatoid arthritis patients who screen positive or negative for fibromyalgia on MDHAQ FAST4 (fibromyalgia assessment screening tool) or 2011 fibromyalgia criteria

BackgroundPROMIS-29 T-scores query health-related quality of life (HRQL) in 7 domains, physical function, pain, fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, and social participation, to establish population norms. An MDHAQ (multidimensional health assessment questionnaire) scores these 7 domains and includes medical information such as a FAST4 (fibromyalgia assessment screening tool) index. We analyzed PROMIS-29 T-scores in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients vs population norms and for positive vs negative fibromyalgia (FM) screens, and compared PROMIS-29 T-scores to MDHAQ scores to assess HRQL. MethodsA cross-sectional study was performed at one routine visit of 213 RA patients, who completed MDHAQ, PROMIS-29, and reference 2011 FM Criteria. PROMIS-29 T-scores were compared in RA vs population norms and in FM+ vs FM- RA patients, based on MDHAQ/FAST4 and reference criteria. Possible associations between PROMIS-29 T-scores and corresponding MDHAQ scores were analyzed using Spearman correlations and multiple regressions. ResultsMedian PROMIS-29 T-scores indicated clinically and statistically significantly poorer status in 25-27% FM+ vs FM- RA patients, with larger differences than in RA patients vs population norms for 6/7 domains. MDHAQ scores were correlated significantly with each of 7 corresponding PROMIS-29 domains (|rho|≥0.62, p<0.001). Linear regressions explained 55-73% of PROMIS-29 T-score variation by MDHAQ scores and 56%-71% of MDHAQ score variation by PROMIS-29 T-scores. ConclusionsScores for 7 PROMIS-29 domains and MDHAQ were highly correlated. The MDHAQ is effective to assess HRQL and offers incremental medical information, including FAST4 screening. The results indicate the importance of assessing comorbidities such as fibromyalgia screening in interpreting PROMIS-29 T-scores.

Multimorbidity Patterns and Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Outcomes: Findings From a Multicenter, Prospective Cohort.

To determine whether unique multimorbidity patterns are associated with long-term rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease severity. We conducted a cohort study within the Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis registry. We applied previously derived multimorbidity patterns based on the presence of diagnostic codes for relevant conditions prior to enrollment using linked administrative data. Disease activity and functional status were assessed longitudinally up to 5 years after enrollment. The association of multimorbidity patterns with disease activity and functional status were assessed using generalized estimating equations models adjusting for relevant confounders. We studied 2,956 participants, of which 88.2% were male, 76.9% reported white race, and 79.3% had a smoking history. Mental health and substance abuse (β 0.12 [95% confidence interval {CI} 0.00, 0.23]), cardiovascular (β 0.25 [95% CI 0.12, 0.38]), and chronic pain (β 0.21 [95% CI 0.11, 0.31]) multimorbidity were associated with higher Disease Activity Score in 28 joints (DAS28) scores. Mental health and substance abuse (β 0.09 [0.03, 0.15]), cardiovascular (β 0.11 [95% CI 0.04, 0.17]), and chronic pain multimorbidity (β 0.15 [95% CI 0.10, 0.20]) were also associated with higher Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) scores. The metabolic pattern of multimorbidity was not associated with DAS28 or MDHAQ. The number of multimorbidity patterns present was highly associated with DAS28 and MDHAQ (P trend < 0.001), and patients with all four multimorbidity patterns had the highest DAS28 (β 0.59 [95% CI 0.36, 0.83]) and MDHAQ (β 0.27 [95% CI 0.16, 0.39]) scores. Mental health and substance abuse, chronic pain, and cardiovascular multimorbidity patterns are associated with increased RA disease activity and poorer functional status. Identifying and addressing these multimorbidity patterns may facilitate achieving RA treatment targets.

FRI0586 HOW TO GET FROM THE MULTIDIMENSIONAL HEALTH ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE TO STANFORD HEALTH ASSESSMENT QUESTIONNAIRE DISABILITY INDEX SCORES IN PATIENTS WITH RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS, PSORIATIC ARTHRITIS AND AXIAL SPONDYLOARTHRITIS: DEVELOPMENT AND VALIDATION OF A CONVERSION ALGORITHM

Background:In the DANBIO quality registry in Denmark, patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) have reported Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) including the Stanford Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQ-DI) for nearly twenty years as part of routine care. Patients’ feedback have stressed a need for a shorter registration of disability (1). While the shorter Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) is preferred by patients, the original HAQ-DI is the preferred tool in observational studies. Thus, a conversion algorithm between the MDHAQ and HAQ-DI scores is warranted.Objectives:To develop and validate a simple conversion algorithm between MDHAQ and HAQ-DI scores in RA, PsA and axSpA patients.Methods:Patients registered in DANBIO with a diagnosis of RA, PsA or axSpA who had completed both HAQ-DI and MDHAQ simultaneously at a visit +/- 30 days from start of conventional synthetic (cs)DMARD or biological (b)DMARD were eligible for the analysis, and randomly divided into development and validation cohorts stratified by diagnosis. The conversion algorithm was developed in the RA development cohort using linear regression with HAQ-DI as the dependent variable and MDHAQ as the independent variable. The predicted HAQ (pHAQ) scores were then calculated by applying the conversion algorithm to the MDHAQ scores in the RA, PsA and axSpA validation cohorts. The pHAQ was validated against the HAQ-DI in the validation cohorts regarding criterion, correlational and construct validity.Results:We included 8983/4410/1760 patients with RA/PsA/axSpA, respectively. The conversion algorithm pHAQ=0.15+MDHAQ*1.08 had the best fit (R2=0.83) in the RA development cohort.Criterion validity: The correlation coefficients between HAQ-DI/pHAQ and patient global score at baseline were 0.66/0.65. In groups of patients with high and low disability (defined as patient global score ≥50), standardized mean difference was -1.4 for HAQ-DI, and -1.4 for pHAQ.Correlational validity: Correlation coefficients between HAQ-DI/pHAQ and ΔHAQ-DI/ΔpHAQ between baseline and first follow-up visit were r=0.91 and r=0.87, respectively. Correlation coefficients between HAQ-DI/pHAQ and pain score, DAS28CRP and physician global score were 0.63/0.64, 0.55/0.55 and 0.34/0.34, respectively. A Bland-Altman plot showed good agreement of HAQ-DI and pHAQ across all functional states.Construct validity: HAQ-DI/pHAQ at the first follow-up visit after baseline was comparable between Patient Acceptable Symptom State groups (PASS=No: mean 1.17 vs 1.18/PASS=Yes: 0.55 vs 0.60). Similar results were seen for the external anchor (Figure 1).In PsA and axSpA validation cohorts, similar results were found.Conclusion:A conversion algorithm from MDHAQ to HAQ-DI was developed in ≈ 4500 RA patients. In separate large validation cohorts of RA, PsA and axSpA patients, the predicted HAQ calculated from the MDHAQ scores showed good criterion, correlational and construct validity comparable to the original HAQ-DI. The results suggest that for research purposes the MDHAQ can be converted to HAQ-DI if a full HAQ-DI has not been performed.

Reliability, Feasibility, and Patient Acceptance of an Electronic Version of a Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire for Routine Rheumatology Care: Validation and Patient Preference Study.

BackgroundA multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ) that was developed primarily for routine rheumatology care has advanced clinical research concerning disease burden, disability, and mortality in rheumatic diseases. Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3), an index within the MDHAQ, is the most widely used index to assess rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in clinical care in the United States, and it recognizes clinical status changes in all studied rheumatic diseases. MDHAQ physical function scores are far more significant in the prognosis of premature RA mortality than laboratory or imaging data. However, electronic medical records (EMRs) generally do not include patient questionnaires. An electronic MDHAQ (eMDHAQ), linked by fast healthcare interoperability resources (FIHR) to an EMR, can facilitate clinical and research advances.ObjectiveThis study analyzed the reliability, feasibility, and patient acceptance of an eMDHAQ.MethodsSince 2006, all Rush University Medical Center rheumatology patients with all diagnoses have been asked to complete a paper MDHAQ at each routine care encounter. In April 2019, patients were invited to complete an eMDHAQ at the conclusion of the encounter. Analyses were conducted to determine the reliability of eMDHAQ versus paper MDHAQ scores, arithmetically and by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The feasibility of the eMDHAQ was analyzed based on the time for patient completion. The patient preference for the electronic or paper version was analyzed through a patient paper questionnaire.ResultsThe 98 study patients were a typical routine rheumatology patient group. Seven paper versus eMDHAQ scores were within 2%, differences neither clinically nor statistically significant. ICCs of 0.86-0.98 also indicated good to excellent reliability. Mean eMDHAQ completion time was a feasible 8.2 minutes. The eMDHAQ was preferred by 72% of patients; preferences were similar according to age and educational level.ConclusionsThe results on a paper MDHAQ versus eMDHAQ were similar. Most patients preferred an eMDHAQ.

EP41 The Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) and the Heath Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQDI): a comparison in patients with psoriatic arthritis

Abstract Background We compared the Health Assessment Questionnaire Disability Index (HAQDI) and the simpler Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and examined whether either questionnaires are less prone to ‘floor effects’, whereby patients report normal scores despite experiencing functional impairment. Methods Data were collected prospectively across three UK hospital trusts from 2018-2019. All patients completed the MDHAQ, HAQDI and PsA Impact of Disease Questionnaire (PsAID) in a single clinic visit. A subset were given an identical pack to complete one week later. The HAQ questionnaires are scored from 0-3, and the PsAID is scored from 0-10. The PsAID has a validated patient acceptable symptom state (PsAID≤4) to stratify high-impact and low-impact disease. Mean with standard deviation (S.D.) was calculated and variability was assessed using the Bland-Altman method. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC, two-way mixed model absolute agreement) was used to assess test-retest reliability. Using pilot data, we calculated that 210 patients were required to detect non-inferiority between the HAQ questionnaires, with a 0.125 margin at a two-sided 0.025 significance level with &amp;gt; 90% power. All analyses were performed using R. This study was approved by London-Surrey Research Ethics Committee. Results 210 patients completed the study; one withdrew consent thus 209 were analysed. 62 patients completed the questionnaires one week later. 60.0% were male, mean age was 51.7 years, and median PsA duration was 7.0 years. In clinic, mean (S.D.) scores on the MDHAQ, HAQDI including/excluding aids, and PsAID were 0.58 (0.64), 0.79 (0.78), 0.70 (0.73), and 3.71 (2.70), respectively. The mean HAQDI tends to be higher than the MDHAQ, for both high and low-impact disease. However, the difference between the two mostly lies within 1.96 S.D. of the mean using the Bland-Altman method, suggesting reasonable agreement. Comparing clinic and 1-week scores, the ICCs for the MDHAQ, HAQDI including/excluding aids, and PsAID were 0.97 (95% CI 0.95-0.98), 0.98 (0.97-0.99), 0.98 (0.96-0.99), and 0.96 (0.93-0.97) respectively, suggesting excellent test-retest reliability. Patients scoring ‘0’ in MDHAQ and HAQDI including/excluding aids were similar (48, 47, 49). Using a score of ≤ 0.5 for low functional impairment, 23 patients had a MDHAQ ≤ 0.5 when their HAQDI including aids &amp;gt; 0.5. This reduced to 17 when using HAQDI excluding aids &amp;gt; 0.5. In contrast, 4 patients had a HAQDI including aids ≤ 0.5 when MDHAQ &amp;gt; 0.5. This increased to 5 patients when using HAQDI excluding aids ≤ 5. Collectively, this suggests the HAQDI is less prone to floor effects compared to the MDHAQ, especially when the score incorporates aids. Conclusion The MDHAQ and HAQDI scores show test-retest reliability and reasonable agreement in patients with PsA. Although the MDHAQ is quicker for patients to complete, it appears more prone to floor effects. Disclosures: W. Ye: None. S. Hackett: None. C. Vandevelde: None. S. Twigg: None. L.C. Coates: None.

Fibromyalgia Assessment Screening Tool: Clues to Fibromyalgia on a Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire for Routine Care.

To develop feasible indices as clues to comorbid fibromyalgia (FM) in routine care of patients with various rheumatic diseases based only on self-report multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) scores, which are informative in all rheumatic diagnoses studied. All patients with all diagnoses complete an MDHAQ at each visit; the 2011 FM criteria questionnaire was added to the standard MDHAQ between February 2013 and August 2016. The proportion of patients who met 2011 FM criteria or had a clinical diagnosis of FM was calculated. Individual candidate MDHAQ measures were compared to 2011 FM criteria using receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves; cutpoints to recognize FM were selected from the area under the curve (AUC) for optimal tradeoff between sensitivity and specificity. Cumulative indices of 3 or 4 MDHAQ measures were analyzed as fibromyalgia assessment screening tools (FAST). In 148 patients, the highest AUC in ROC analyses versus 2011 FM criteria were seen for MDHAQ symptom checklist, self-report painful joint count, pain visual analog scale (VAS), and fatigue VAS. The optimal cutpoints were ≥ 16/60 for symptom checklist, ≥ 16/48 for self-report painful joint count, and ≥ 6/10 for both pain and fatigue VAS. Cumulative FAST indices of 2/3 or 3/4 MDHAQ measures correctly classified 89.4-91.7% of patients who met 2011 FM criteria. FAST3 and FAST4 cumulative indices from only MDHAQ scores correctly identify most patients who meet 2011 FM criteria. FAST indices can assist clinicians in routine care as clues to FM with a general rheumatology rather than FM-specific questionnaire.

Fibromyalgia Assessment Screening Tools (FAST) Based on Only Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) Scores as Clues to Fibromyalgia.

ObjectiveThe study was designed to develop fibromyalgia assessment screening tool (FAST) indices based only on multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ) scores as clues to fibromyalgia (FM), analyzed for possible agreement with the 2011 FM criteria.MethodsAll patients with all diagnoses complete an MDHAQ at each visit in routine care. The MDHAQ includes scores for physical function, pain, global assessment, fatigue, self‐report painful joint count, and a 60‐symptom checklist. MDHAQ items similar or identical to the 2011 FM criteria symptom severity scale (SSS) and widespread pain index (WPI) components of a polysymptomatic distress scale (PSD) were compiled into continuous MDHAQ‐FM‐SSS, MDHAQ‐FM‐WPI, and MDHAQ‐FM‐PSD indices. Ten candidate MDHAQ scores were analyzed against the 2011 FM criteria using descriptive statistics, Spearman correlations, kappa statistics, and receiver operating characteristic curves for the area under the curve (AUC). MDHAQ candidate variables with the highest AUC were compiled into cumulative MDHAQ‐FAST indices of three (FAST3) or four (FAST4) scores.ResultsThe highest AUCs among MDHAQ scores were seen for symptom checklist, painful joint count, fatigue, and pain, which are included in FAST4; FAST3‐F excludes pain, and FAST3‐P excludes fatigue. AUCs for FAST3‐P, FAST3‐F, and FAST4, as well as continuous MDHAQ‐FM scores, all were greater than 0.92, indicating excellent criterion validity. Kappa statistics versus the 2011 criteria were 0.63‐0.68, higher than 0.41‐0.47 versus physician ICD‐10 diagnoses.ConclusionPragmatic FAST3, FAST4, and MDHAQ‐FM indices are similar to FM criteria to screen for FM in routine care. It is more feasible to collect the same MDHAQ, which is informative in all rheumatic diseases studied, from each patient than to ask different patients with different diagnoses to complete different questionnaires.

Clues to recognition of secondary fibromyalgia in patients with osteoarthritis according to a fibromyalgia assessment screening tool of scales on a multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ/FAST3)

Purpose: To recognize clues to secondary fibromyalgia (FM) in patients with osteoarthritis (OA), as widespread pain of FM often confounds OA pain, which may complicate clinical trials and clinical care. FM was recognized according to a simple FM assessment screening tool with fatigue (FAST3-F) on a multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ), i.e., MDHAQ/FAST3-F, for which >80% agreement is seen with formal FM diagnostic criteria. MDHAQ demographic data and clinical scales were analyzed in OA patients who did or did not have secondary FM according to MDHAQ/FAST3-F. Methods: At one academic rheumatology setting, all patients complete an MDHAQ at all visits, prior to seeing the rheumatologist. The 2-page MDHAQ includes 0-10 scores for physical function (FN), and visual analog scales (VAS) for pain (PN) and patient global assessment (PATGL), which are compiled into a 0-30 composite continuous MDHAQ/RAPID3 (routine assessment of patient index data) scale. Higher scores indicate poorer clinical status. The MDHAQ also includes a 0-10 fatigue VAS, 0-48 self-report painful joint count, and 0-60 symptom checklist, compiled into a cumulative 0-3 MDHAQ/FAST3-F scale of 1 point each for fatigue VAS ≥6, RADAI ≥16, and symptom checklist ≥16, based on area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves. FAST3-F scores of ≥2/3 show >80% agreement with formal FM criteria. A two-sample t test was used to compare the two groups; p values were considered significant if ≤0.05. Results: A total of 173 OA patients were included in this study, of whom 55 (32%) met MDHAQ/FAST3-F criteria for secondary FM. Patients who met or did not meet these criteria for FM did not differ significantly in age, sex, or BMI (Table). Patients who met FAST3-F criteria had a significantly lower formal educational level of 12.0 vs 14.2 in OA patients who did not meet criteria (p=0.01) (Table). MDHAQ scores for physical function, pain VAS, patient global assessment VAS, fatigue VAS, and RAPID3 were significantly higher in the FAST3-F FM group (p<0.001) Table). Patients who met FAST-3 FM criteria also had significantly higher scores for poor sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. Among the 173 OA patients, 13% reported a clinical diagnosis of depression on their MDHAQ past medical history review, including 32% of FAST3-F positive patients and 7% of FAST3-F negative patients (p=0.01) (Table).Table 1Mean values for demographics and clinical variables at baseline of 173 patients with OAMean (standard deviation=SD) or % of variable:All patientsFibromyalgia according to FAST3-FPYesNoN (%)17342 (24%)131 (76%)DemographicsAge (years), mean (SD)66.1 (10.7)64.5 (11.7)66.6 (10.5)0.27Female, %84%88%82%0.38BMI, mean (SD)32.9 (7.8)33.8 (6.8)32.7 (8.0)0.58Educational level (years), mean (SD)13.7 (3.8)12.0 (3.9)14.2 (3.6)0.01Clinical VariablesPhysical function (0-10), mean (SD)3.1 (1.9)4.6 (1.8)2.6 (1.6)<0.001Patient global assessment (0-10), mean (SD)5.9 (2.7)7.8 (1.9)5.3 (2.6)<0.001Pain (0-10), mean (SD)6.9 (2.3)8.2 (1.5)6.5 (2.4)<0.001RAPID3 (0-30), mean (SD)15.8 (6.0)20.4 (4.6)14.4 (5.7)<0.001Poor sleep quality (0-3.3), mean (SD)1.4 (1.0)1.9 (0.9)1.2 (0.9)<0.001Anxiety (0-3.3), mean (SD)0.7 (0.8)1.2 (0.8)0.5 (0.8)0.001Depression/feeling blue (0-3.3), mean (SD)0.6 (0.8)1.2 (0.8)0.5 (0.7)0.001Clinical diagnosis of depression, %13%32%7%0.01Abbreviations: FAST3-F, fibromyalgia assessment screening tool-fatigue, BMI, body mass index Open table in a new tab Abbreviations: FAST3-F, fibromyalgia assessment screening tool-fatigue, BMI, body mass index Conclusions: FAST3-F appears to provide useful clues to identify OA patients with secondary fibromyalgia, who exhibit poorer baseline clinical status, higher distress and lower formal education level, compared with patients who did not meet FAST3-F criteria. These findings may be useful in stratifying patients in clinical trials and other clinical research, recognizing a basis for poor responses in clinical care, and enhancing understanding of pain mechanisms and progression of OA and/or FM and/or comorbid OA and FM.

Obesity, Weight Loss, and Progression of Disability in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that obese patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) often report greater disability. The longitudinal effects of obesity, however, are not well-characterized. We evaluated associations between obesity, weight loss, and worsening of disability in patients of 2 large registry studies, which included patients who were followed for longer periods of time. This study included patients with RA from the National Data Bank for Rheumatic Diseases (FORWARD) (n = 23,323) and the Veterans Affairs RA (VARA) registry study (n = 1,697). Results of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) or Multidimensional HAQ (MD-HAQ) were recorded through follow-up. Significant worsening of disability was defined as an increase of >0.2 in HAQ or MD-HAQ scores. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the risk of worsening of disability from baseline and to adjust for demographics, baseline disability, comorbidity, disease duration, and other disease features. At enrollment, disability scores were higher among severely obese patients compared to those who were overweight both in FORWARD (β = 0.17 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.14, 0.20]; P < 0.001) and in the VARA registry (β = 0.17 [95% CI 0.074, 0.27]; P = 0.001). In multivariable models, patients who were severely obese at enrollment had a greater risk of progressive disability compared to overweight patients in FORWARD (HR 1.25 [95% CI 1.18, 1.33] P < 0.001) and in the VARA registry (HR 1.33 [95% CI 1.07, 1.66]; P = 0.01). Weight loss following enrollment was also associated with a greater risk in both cohorts. In the VARA registry, associations were independent of other clinical factors, including time-varying C-reactive protein and swollen joint count. Severe obesity is associated with a more rapid progression of disability in RA. Weight loss is also associated with worsening disability, possibly due to it being an indication of chronic illness and the development of age-related or disease-related frailty.

Evidence from a Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) of the Value of a Biopsychosocial Model to Complement a Traditional Biomedical Model in Care of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Patient self-report questionnaires such as a multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ) have advanced knowledge concerning prognosis, care, course and outcomes of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The MDHAQ may overcome some limitations of a “biomedical model,” the dominant paradigm of contemporary medical services, including limitations of laboratory tests, radiographs, joint counts, and clinical trials, to predict and depict the long-term course and outcomes of RA. A complementary “biopsychosocial model” captures components of a patient medical history on patient questionnaires as quantitative, standard, “scientific” scores for physical function, pain, fatigue, and other problems, rather than as “subjective” narrative descriptions. A rationale for a biopsychosocial model in RA includes the importance of a patient history in diagnosis and management compared to biomarkers in many chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. Some important observations which support a biopsychosocial model in RA based on patient questionnaires include that MDHAQ physical function scores are far more significant than radiographs or laboratory tests to predict severe RA outcomes such as work disability and premature death; patient self-report measures are more efficient than tender joint counts and laboratory tests to distinguish active from control treatments in RA clinical trials involving biological agents; and MDHAQ scores are more likely than laboratory tests to be abnormal at presentation and to document incomplete responses to methotrexate at initiation of biological agents. Patient questionnaires can save time for doctors and patients, and improve doctor-patient communication. A standardized database of MDHAQ scores consecutive patients over long periods might be considered by all rheumatologists in routine clinical care. (J Rheum Dis 2016;23:212-233)

The Past versus the Present, 1980-2004: Reduction of Mean Initial Low-Dose, Long-Term Glucocorticoid Therapy in Rheumatoid Arthritis from 10.3 to 3.6 mg/Day, Concomitant with Early Methotrexate, with Long-Term Effectiveness and Safety of Less than 5 mg/Day

Quantitative observations are presented concerning treatment with glucocorticoids of 308 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) at a weekly academic rheumatology setting over 25 years from 1980 to 2004. A database of all visits included medications and multidimensional health assessment questionnaire scores for physical function, pain and routine assessment of patient index data (RAPID3; and a surrogate RAPID3-EST), completed by each patient at each visit in routine care. Over the 5-year periods of 1980-1984, 1985-1989, 1990-1994, 1995-1999 and 2000-2004, the mean initial prednisone daily dose declined from 10.3 to 6.5, 5.1, 4.1 and 3.6 mg/day, as initial doses were >5 mg/day in 49, 16, 7, 7 and 3% of patients, 5 mg/day in 51, 80, 70, 26 and 10%, and <5 mg/day in 0, 4, 23, 67 and 86%. Reduction of prednisone doses in the respective five-year periods was accompanied by increased and earlier use of methotrexate as the first disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) in 10, 26, 57, 71 and 78%, and methotrexate treatment in 10, 26, 74, 82 and 92% of patients within the first year of disease. Higher methotrexate doses in the respective five-year periods were used after 1990, along with lower prednisone doses. Most patients were treated indefinitely with both low-dose prednisone and methotrexate; 80% continued both medications for more than 5 years. The primary adverse events were skin-thinning and bruising. New hypertension, diabetes and cataracts were seen in fewer than 10% of patients. While efficacy and safety cannot be analyzed definitively from observational data, the data suggest that many patients with RA might be treated effectively with weekly low-dose methotrexate along with initial and long-term, low-dose prednisone of <5 mg/day.

Discordance of Global Estimates by Patients and Their Physicians in Usual Care of Many Rheumatic Diseases: Association With 5 Scores on a Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) That Are Not Found on the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ)

To analyze discordance between global estimates by patients (PATGL) and their physicians (DOCGL) according to demographic and self-report variables on a Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) in patients with many rheumatic diseases seen in usual care. Each patient completed an MDHAQ at each visit, which includes scores for physical function, pain, and PATGL, each found on the traditional Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), and scores for sleep quality, anxiety, depression, self-report joint count, and fatigue, which are not found on the HAQ. A random visit of 980 patients with any rheumatic diagnosis was analyzed in 3 categories: PATGL=DOCGL (within 2 of 10 units), PATGL>DOCGL (by ≥2 of 10 units), and DOCGL>PATGL (by ≥2 of 10 units), using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression models. Patients included 145 with rheumatoid arthritis, 57 with systemic lupus erythematosus, 173 with osteoarthritis, 348 with other inflammatory diseases, and 257 with other noninflammatory diseases. Overall, PATGL=DOCGL in 509 (52%), PATGL>DOCGL in 371 (38%), and DOCGL>PATGL in 100 (10%). PATGL>DOCGL was associated significantly with older age, female sex, low formal education, Hispanic ethnicity, not working, high MDHAQ physical function and pain scores, and high scores for fatigue, poor sleep, anxiety, depression, and self-report joint count, which are not available on the HAQ. Pain and fatigue were significant in a final multinomial logistic regression; the other variables may raise awareness of discordance to clinicians. Global estimates of patients indicated significantly poorer status than estimates of their physicians in 38% of 980 patients with rheumatic conditions, and were associated with demographic and MDHAQ scores, 5 of which are not available on the HAQ.

FRI0424 Pain scores are the primary explanatory variable for higher global estimates by patients compared to doctors in patients with all rheumatic diseases

BackgroundEstimates of global status by doctors (DOCGL) and patients (PATGL) are discordant in about 30-40% of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).1,2 This discordance has been analyzed to date only in...

MDHAQ/RAPID3 to Recognize Improvement Over 2 Months in Usual Care of Patients With Osteoarthritis, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Spondyloarthropathy, and Gout, as Well as Rheumatoid Arthritis

To analyze whether MDHAQ (Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire) scores for physical function (FN), pain, Patient Global Estimate (PATGL), and RAPID3 (Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data, a composite of these 3 measures) document improvement in patients with osteoarthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, spondyloarthropathy, and gout, similarly to rheumatoid arthritis. In a solo rheumatology practice, every patient completes an MDHAQ/RAPID3 and is assigned a Physician Global Estimate (DOCGL) at every visit. Mean and median FN (0-10 scale), pain (0-10), PATGL (0-10), RAPID3 (0-30), and DOCGL (0-10) were computed at first visit and 2 months later in 141 new patients with 5 diagnoses. Proportions with RAPID3 high (>12), moderate (6.1-12), and low (3.1-6) severity and remission (≤3) were computed. Differences between baseline and 2-month follow-up for each diagnosis were analyzed using paired t tests. Mean changes over 2 months across 5 diagnoses were compared using analysis of variance. Mean baseline scores for all measures were in narrow ranges for all 5 diagnoses: FN 1.5 to 2.5, pain 4.2 to 5.9, PATGL 4.3 to 5.6, RAPID3 10.1 to 13.7, and DOCGL 2.4 to 4.0. Improvement for FN was 9.4% to 26.8% in all diagnoses but osteoarthritis, for pain 20.2% to 35.3% in all diagnoses, PATGL 11.3% to 30.4%, RAPID3 16.8% to 27.5%, and for DOCGL 23.8% to 36.4%, similar in 5 diagnostic groups. MDHAQ, RAPID3, and DOCGL document similar baseline and improvement scores in patients with 5 diagnoses. These quantitative data may supplement traditional narrative, "gestalt" descriptions in usual care of patients with any rheumatic disease.

Decline of Mean Initial Prednisone Dosage From 10.3 to 3.6 mg/day to Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis Between 1980 and 2004 in One Clinical Setting, With Long‐Term Effectiveness of Dosages Less Than 5 mg/day

To analyze prednisone treatment from 1980-2004 in 308 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), including 75 monitored over 4-8 years and 73 monitored over >8 years, for initial dose, long-term doses and effectiveness, and adverse events. A database of all patients of a single rheumatologist included medications and Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) scores at each visit. Proportions of patients whose initial prednisone dosages were >5, 5, or <5 mg/day were computed in 5-year periods: 1980-1984, 1985-1989, 1990-1994, 1995-1999, and 2000-2004. Mean changes in MDHAQ function, pain, and Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3) scores were compared in patients treated with <5 versus ≥5 mg/day of prednisone; scores and adverse events were analyzed in quartiles by treatment duration of ≤1, 1.1-4, 4.1-8, and >8 years. In the respective 5-year periods, the mean initial prednisone dosages were 10.3, 6.5, 5.1, 4.1, and 3.6 mg/day, with >5 mg/day in 49%, 16%, 7%, 7%, and 3% of patients, 5 mg/day in 51%, 80%, 70%, 26%, and 10% of patients, and <5 mg/day in 0%, 4%, 23%, 67%, and 86% of patients. Most patients received early concomitant methotrexate after 1990, and prednisone <5 mg/day was maintained indefinitely. Patients treated with prednisone ≥5 mg/day had poorer clinical status as baseline and followup. MDHAQ scores improved similarly in patients treated with <5 or ≥5 mg/day. Primary adverse events were skin thinning and bruising. New hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and cataracts occurred in <10% of all patients, and <13% of those treated longer than 8 years. The data suggest that many patients with RA might be treated effectively with initial and long-term prednisone <5 mg/day, although further research and observational data are needed to characterize more fully effectiveness and safety.

Patient self‐report RADAI (Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index) joint counts on an MDHAQ (Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire) in usual care of consecutive patients with rheumatic diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis

To analyze a patient self-report joint count from the Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity Index (RADAI) on a Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) in a cohort of consecutive patients seen in usual rheumatology care with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), osteoarthritis (OA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and gout. Each patient completed an MDHAQ, which included a RADAI, at each visit in one usual care setting. In order to include a physician measure, a random visit at which there was a recorded physician global estimate was selected for each of 465 patients (174 patients with RA, 75 with SLE, 113 with OA, 53 with PsA, and 50 patients with gout). The RADAI was analyzed for total scores (range 0-48), number of involved joint groups (range 0-16), and each specific joint group, and then compared in the 5 diagnostic groups to one another and to other MDHAQ measures and the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (RAPID3). In patients with RA, SLE, OA, PsA, and gout, mean RADAI scores (range 0-48) were 12.4, 6.5, 10.1, 6.7, and 2.7, respectively. The mean numbers of involved joint groups (range 0-16) were 6.9, 3.8, 4.8, 4.5, and 1.7, respectively, and the median numbers were 6, 2, 4, 4, and 1, respectively. RADAI scores were correlated significantly with the physician global estimate, except in SLE, and at higher levels with the MDHAQ and RAPID3 scores in all diagnostic groups. The RADAI self-report joint counts can be used to record self-report involvement of specific joints and joint groups in patients with SLE, OA, PsA, and gout, with minimal effort on the part of the rheumatologist.

Body mass index and the rheumatoid arthritis swollen joint count: An observational study

Obesity is a prevalent condition and a serious health concern. The relationship between obesity and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity and severity has not been adequately examined, and there are concerns that periarticular adipose tissue may reduce the utility of the joint examination. We used a cross-sectional study to compare the performance of swollen joint count (SJC) in subjects with RA across body mass index (BMI) strata. Specifically, regression techniques tested for associations of SJC and 7 RA disease activity/severity measures (including high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level, radiographic changes, and Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire scores) within BMI quartiles. We also evaluated the association of BMI with radiographic evidence of RA in multivariate analyses and the association of BMI with SJC. Clinical and laboratory data from 980 Veterans Affairs Rheumatoid Arthritis registry participants were analyzed using linear and logistic regression. Associations were evident between SJC and 6 of the 7 examined RA disease activity/severity measures. SJC predicts RA disease activity/severity in more obese subjects at least as well as in subjects with lower BMIs, and there was a trend toward better performance in individuals with higher BMIs. Subjects with higher BMIs were marginally less likely to be characterized by radiographic changes (odds ratio 0.98, P = 0.051). We found no association between BMI and SJC. BMI does not obscure the relationship of SJC and objective disease activity measures. There is a borderline association of higher BMI and the likelihood of radiographic changes characteristic of RA after controlling for clinical characteristics.

Limited Health Literacy Is a Common Finding in a Public Health Hospital's Rheumatology Clinic and Is Predictive of Disease Severity

Health literacy (HL) is associated with outcomes in many conditions, but little is known about its impact on arthritic diseases. We sought to determine whether HL is related to disease activity and severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). English-speaking adult RA patients were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Background information was ascertained by medical record review; Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS-28) scores were determined by providers; subjects completed the Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ), demographic questionnaires, and validated HL instruments, including the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults, Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine, and the single-item literacy screener. We used linear regression to assess whether HL was associated with MDHAQ and DAS-28 scores. One hundred ten subjects participated in the study. Limited HL was a common finding, especially among ethnic minorities. The single-item literacy screener results were predictive of lower MDHAQ scores by univariate regression analysis. Similar trends were observed for the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults and Rapid Estimate of Adult Literacy in Medicine. The relationship between the single-item literacy screener and MDHAQ remained statistically significant in multivariate analysis that controlled for the impact of demographic features and RA disease characteristics. Health literacy scores were not associated with DAS-28 scores. Health literacy was independently associated with functional impairment in English-speaking RA patients at an urban safety-net clinic. This new finding suggests that RA functional status might be improved by strategies that target limited HL's causal pathways.

Evaluating the Korean version of the Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire in patients with rheumatoid arthritis

Although the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) and the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire are useful tools for assessing and monitoring patients with rheumatic diseases, they have a "floor effect" and do not fully reflect the psychological status of patients. Recently, the Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire (MDHAQ) was developed to overcome these shortcomings. We translated the MDHAQ into the Korean language and evaluated its reliability and validity for use with Korean-speaking patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The questionnaire was translated into the Korean language by three translators, who were aware of its objectives, and it was translated back into the English language by three different translators. One question was modified to reflect Korean culture, and imperial measures were changed to metric measures because most Koreans use the metric system. The Korean MDHAQ was administered to 136 patients with RA who were attending the outpatient rheumatology clinic at the Chonnam National University Hospital (Gwangju, South Korea). Test-retest reliability was assessed in 101 patients after 1 week. To assess criterion validity, we compared MDHAQ scores with HAQ scores and the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) functional class. To test construct validity, the MDHAQ was compared to ACR core criteria (tender and swollen joint count, pain, patient's global assessment, physician's global assessment, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and C-reactive protein), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). The test-retest reliability was analyzed by computing kappa statistics, which ranged from 0.60 to 0.76. Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranged from 0.892 to 0.938. The MDHAQ was significantly correlated with the HAQ and ACR functional class (all p<0.001). The correlations between the MDHAQ scores and the ACR core set, BDI, and STAI were all high and statistically significant. The Korean version of the MDHAQ is a reliable, valid tool for assessing Korean patients with RA.