RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICIAN GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF DISEASE SEVERITY AND OBJECTIVE MEASURES OF DISEASE SEVERITY IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE

Siva Narayanan

Volume : V, Issue : III, March - 2016

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PHYSICIAN GLOBAL ASSESSMENT OF DISEASE SEVERITY AND OBJECTIVE MEASURES OF DISEASE SEVERITY IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS IN THE UNITED STATES AND EUROPE

Siva Narayanan

Abstract :

 Evaluating the relationship between physician global assessment (PhGA) and objective measures for disease severity among patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) could reinforce the use of simple measures. A multi–center medical chart–review study of RA patients was conducted in 2011 among physicians in hospitals/private practices in Europe (EU5: UK/ France/Germany/Italy/Spain) and United States (US) to collect data on RA diagnosis, treatment patterns/dynamics and patient symptomatology/disease status incl. physician–assessment of disease severity (per clinical judgment). In EU5 and US, 2208 and 851 patient charts were abstracted respectively. Per PhGA, 49%/41%/9% were mild/moderate/severe in EU and 59%/35%/6% were mild/moderate/severe in US. Recent disease severity scores (as measured by Tender Joint Count, Swollen Joint Count, 100mm VAS, HAQ, DAS28 and Total Sharp score) mostly increased with increasing PhGA score in both EU and US. The observed correlations strengthen the argument towards continued inclusion/use of simple physician–assessment scales in usual care practices around the world.