Outcomes in rheumatoid arthritis: incorporating the patient perspective.
OBJECTIVE
As biologics have improved the prognosis for rheumatoid arthritis, the prioritization of outcomes has shifted. Methods of quantifying concerns of particular importance to patients as a basis for better addressing the patient perspective in treatment are being developed. This review aims first to highlight some of the recent research in more traditional outcomes and then to focus on the rapid development of patient-centered outcomes over the last several years.


RESULTS
Clinical trials with combinations of biologics and other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs have reported significant improvement in radiographs, inflammatory markers and joint exams in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Concomitantly, several studies have appeared in major journals, reporting that patients are emphasizing outcomes such as fatigue, return to normalcy and mental health that are less easily measured by the traditional outcomes markers.


CONCLUSIONS
Recent studies have shown both that rheumatologist and patient approaches to achieving wellness differ and providing patients with a sense of control in reaching that state of wellness leads to better outcomes. Current research is focused on evaluating how best to measure the patient assessments and incorporate the patient voice into the clinic.
Heller
Jenny E
JE
Division of Rheumatology, Immunology and Allergy, Brigham & Women's Hospital, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA.
Shadick
Nancy A
NA
D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D010456:Peptides, Cyclic / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D010456:Peptides, Cyclic; C487763:cyclic citrullinated peptide