Routine Use of Quantitative Disease Activity Measurements among US Rheumatologists: Implications for Treat-to-target Management Strategies in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jeffrey R Curtis; Lang Chen; Maria I Danila; Kenneth G Saag; Kathy L Parham; John J Cush

doi:10.3899/jrheum.170548

Routine Use of Quantitative Disease Activity Measurements among US Rheumatologists: Implications for Treat-to-target Management Strategies in Rheumatoid Arthritis

J Rheumatol. 2018 Jan;45(1):40-44. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.170548. Epub 2017 Nov 15.

Authors

Jeffrey R Curtis^{1

2}, Lang Chen^{3

4}, Maria I Danila^{3

4}, Kenneth G Saag^{3

4}, Kathy L Parham^{3

4}, John J Cush^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ From University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Baylor Research Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA. jrcurtis@uabmc.edu.
² J.R. Curtis, MD, MPH, MS, University of Alabama at Birmingham; L. Chen, MD, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham; M.I. Danila, MD, MSc, MSPH, University of Alabama at Birmingham; K.G. Saag, MD, MSc, University of Alabama at Birmingham; K.L. Parham, BA, University of Alabama at Birmingham; J.J. Cush, MD, Baylor Research Institute. jrcurtis@uabmc.edu.
³ From University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama; Baylor Research Institute, Dallas, Texas, USA.
⁴ J.R. Curtis, MD, MPH, MS, University of Alabama at Birmingham; L. Chen, MD, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham; M.I. Danila, MD, MSc, MSPH, University of Alabama at Birmingham; K.G. Saag, MD, MSc, University of Alabama at Birmingham; K.L. Parham, BA, University of Alabama at Birmingham; J.J. Cush, MD, Baylor Research Institute.

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was to examine why real-world practices and attitudes regarding quantitative measurements of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have received limited attention.

Methods: An e-mail survey asked US rheumatologists to self-report on their use of quantitative measurements (metric).

Results: Among 439 respondents, metric rheumatologists (58%) were more likely to be in group practice and to use tumor necrosis factor inhibitors. The quantitative tools most commonly used were the Health Assessment Questionnaire (35.5%) and the Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 (27.1%). Reasons for not measuring included time needed and electronic availability. Based on simulated case scenarios, providing more quantitative information increased the likelihood that a patient would change to a different disease-modifying antirheumatic drug or biologic.

Conclusion: Routine use of quantitative measurement for patients in the United States with RA is increasing over time but remains low.

Keywords: RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS; RHEUMATOLOGY; SURVEY.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

Aged
Arthritis, Rheumatoid / diagnosis*
Attitude of Health Personnel*
Database Management Systems
Disease Management*
Female
Group Practice
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Multivariate Analysis
Practice Patterns, Physicians'
Quality of Health Care*
Rheumatologists / psychology*
Self Report
Severity of Illness Index
United States

Grants and funding

P60 AR064172/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United States